Today, a day of sadness in the United States, we remember those who died as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001.

Fittingly, I awoke this morning to overcast skies and a steady, gray drizzle. I wouldn't have suffered the bright sunshine early on a day like today. I wouldn't have wanted to be greeted with bright skies to put a smile on my face. It wouldn't have seemed appropriate.

I thought a lot about what I might write today, if anything at all. In the past I've posted the names of the people who died this day, six years ago. I also mentioned the moving post 9-11 monologue delivered by Jon Stewart, which I found powerful and sad, but ultimately uplifting. I struggled to think of something profound and meaningful to say today.

What can be said that hasn't been already?

Reflecting back on that terrible day in our history, there is one thing that tempers the feelings of profound sadness over the loss of so many innocent lives. Our response, as a people, as Americans, in the wake of the tragedy, was truly amazing. We came together in a way I've never experienced in my life before. We all grieved over the loss of life, and the loss of innocence. We came together to comfort the families of the fallen, and each other. We provided aid when and where we could, financially, emotionally, and spiritually. We were one nation, for a time galvanized by the need to survive the aftermath of those dark times. We flew our flag proudly. We sung "The Star Spangled Banner" and "God Bless America" together. We were united.

And most importantly, we made a promise to never forget.

Six years later we attended memorials and observed moments of silence so as to keep that promise. Much of the brotherhood we felt in those days and weeks following 9-11 has faded into the background, muted by the passage of time and buried under the minutiae of our daily lives that seemed not-so-important back then. I miss that feeling of unity, but it shows itself now and then, on days like today when we are all taken back, if for just a few moments, to those days when our hearts were collectively broken by cowards and murderers.

Throughout history, this great nation has been truly defined not by its government, or its leaders, or its policies, but by its people. The workers, the martyrs, the immigrants, the soldiers, the mothers, fathers, sons and daughters, the average joes, and the heroes. We have suffered hard times and tragedies before. It is in these moments--these terrible moments of pain and sorrow--that one can truly see wherein our strength lies: in ourselves. We are what make America great. The people of this great land, above all else, are what make me proud to be an American.

In the wake of 9-11 we came together to pool our strength, to help each other cope, and to muster the will to carry on. On the anniversary it is easy to dwell on what happened that day, to lose ourselves in sorrow and uncertainty. But we mustn't. We will endeavor to remember those who perished, but we must carry on with our lives, paying tribute to their memories by moving forward.

This morning the sky was overcast and a constant drizzle fell. But now the clouds are parting. The skies are clearing, and the bright sun breaks through the remaining clouds, lighting everything in warm golden rays, chasing aways the somber gray, and reminding us that all storms pass. It will rise again tomorrow, brighter and warmer, ushering in a new day.