Dad,

Could you answer some of the questions I’ll never get to ask?

I’m looking at colleges;  which one should I pick?

I passed my black belt test as I promised. Were you watching? Did you see me spar at nationals?

I’m graduating in June. Will you clap for me?

I passed my driver’s test. Isn’t that scary?

Did you know that Jonathan has the same color eyes as yours?

I don’t remember what I wanted to be when I was little. Do you remember?

Have you seen my drawings? Haven’t they come a long way from the stick figures I used to draw?

Do you think I’ve made good friends?

Are you proud of my grades?

I’m playing volleyball and I play setter. That’s what you played, right?

I finally found the waterfall we used to hike to. Remember that?

I still haven’t beat our distance record for sledding. Think I’ll manage it this year?

I skied the Black Hole — did you see me?

I still can’t spell — would you quiz me?

I’ve read almost all the books you have. Did you like them as much as I did?

I stopped going to church. Does it matter?

When you get this will you write back?

I saw “Quest for Camelot” again. Isn’t it the greatest movie ever?

Do you miss me as much as I miss you?

Will you be at my wedding?

Do you think I am picking the right career?

Do you miss going out to breakfast?

Did you know I learned to start a campfire?

I still can’t catch any fish — funny, huh?

Would you still take my door off the hinges when I slam it?

Hey Dad, why’s the sky blue?

I’ve forgotten, what’s your favorite color?

Do you remember the beach? Could you teach me how to build sand castles?

Have you read what I wrote?

Will you go hiking with me?

Do you love me?

Most of all I wanted to ask, am I still your little girl?

Forever, Lauren

(source: The Legacy Letters)

Lauren var 8 år, da flyene smadrede ind i World Trade Center for 10 år siden. Hendes far, Mark var 38 år, og han døde, mens han deltog i et planlægningsmøde i sit firma på en helt almindelig tirsdag. I bogen The Legacy Letters findes breve til ofrene for 11. September skrevet af deres efterladte.

Jeg har tænkt meget over, hvad jeg skulle skrive i dag. Men det forekommer så fuldkommen ligegyldigt hvad jeg foretog mig den dag for 10 år siden, da verden for et øjeblik stod stille. Verden fortsatte, men noget er for altid forandret.

Vores liv ikke handler om, hvad andre gør mod os, men hvordan vi reagerer på det, vi møder i livet. Præcis som Lauren beskriver det. Hun savner sin far, men hun lever videre. Bedre kan jeg ikke formulere det, mens jeg mindes den forfærdelige dag for 10 år siden.