The transmission of trauma across generations is a complex and often unspoken phenomenon. This idea is explored through the experiences of both the author and participants in a study examining the long-term effects of the 9/11 attacks on families. The author recalls childhood memories that shaped their understanding of family history, including questions about extended relatives and exposure to difficult topics such as the Holocaust. These early experiences sparked an interest in how trauma is passed down and how it affects family relationships over time. In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, many first responders experienced profound trauma, with nearly 20 percent developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A study was conducted to assess the impact of this trauma on the children of these workers, looking at emotional, social, and everyday functioning across two generations. Researchers contacted parents and their now-adult children to understand how parental trauma might influence the well-being of their offspring. The study aimed to uncover whether the stress and emotional scars of 9/11 had lasting effects on the next generation. The study faced challenges, including hesitation from some parents who were willing to participate themselves but did not want their adult children involved. Some parents believed their children had no connection to the trauma of 9/11, while others wanted to protect them from their own painful memories of the attacks. These decisions reflected a broader pattern of parents being reluctant to share traumatic experiences with their children, often trying to shield them from fear, emotional pain, and the loss of innocence. Research has shown that even when parents don’t explicitly discuss traumatic events, children may still sense the emotional weight of these experiences. In families where trauma remains unspoken, silence can become a generational pattern, potentially affecting how well families cope with challenges and stay connected. However, the study also revealed that some parents found the opportunity to reflect on their experiences meaningful, especially when it led to conversations with their children. The author reflects on their own childhood, considering whether their parents were trying to protect them from difficult truths or if the silence was a result of their own unresolved trauma. As adults, people often seek to understand their parents' histories, realizing that what is not said can shape them as much as what is spoken. The author now sees their father’s brief response, "I had cousins," in a new light, recognizing the importance of acknowledging and giving language to pain across generations.