09/11/2026
I was in my second year of art school at NIU when my roommates started yelling, "We're under attack." Later that morning, I went to my life drawing class. Our instructor sent us home with a simple assignment: sketch as fast as we could over the next few days to capture what we saw. The following week, our task was to design a concept for a 9/11 memorial.
Years later, I stood at the official 9/11 Memorial with my wife and family, doing our best to explain that day to them in simple terms. As we walked past the long rows of names, the sun peeked around One World Observatory and cast a direct reflection onto a single name: Michael Roberts.
A white rose had been placed in his name that morning, marking what would have been his birthday.
I recently read that a vast number of people alive today either weren't born yet or don't remember 9/11, making it our responsibility to keep those memories alive.
It was a profound moment to "meet" you, Michael. Thank you for making me pause, reflect, and remember. Never forget.
