But even as she reeled from grief, Ashrafi somehow found the strength to respond differently.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

As the 10-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks approaches, Ashrafi has fielded calls from around the world.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

If there were a roadmap when it comes to grieving, the journey taken by Ashrafi and her children was unmarked.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

These were the eyes that captured Baraheen Ashrafi when she first met him at their wedding in Bangladesh nearly two decades ago.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

That distinction has put Ashrafi and her children in the spotlight.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

But Ashrafi breaks down when she recalls what he feared.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

While other surviving parents struggled to explain September 11 to their children, Ashrafi faced an additional challenge: Fahina wanted to know why the TV said Muslims killed her daddy.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS