It was a gorgeous September morning when I dropped my oldest daughter off to her fourth grade class and my youngest to kindergarten. The sun was warm on my face and the temperature was a perfect 75 degrees as I hopped into my car on my way to work.
I was working as a personal assistant to a local business woman in her home. She was already working on a fundraiser at the Red Cross when I got to work. I began my day inputting some things into the computer when the phone rang. It was my husband telling me to turn on the TV because something was going on in New York City. Just as I turned it on, I saw an airplane hit the World Trade Center. I didn't know then that this was actually the second plane that had hit.
I felt like someone had hit me hard in the stomach as I sat down to watch the ongoing horror. I prayed harder than I've ever prayed that everyone involved would be able to get out of the buildings.
I knew my prayers had gone unanswered as I watched the collapse the first tower followed by the second but still had hope that some would be found quickly.
As soon as my boss came home I told her that I needed to leave because I knew I needed to do something to help. She had been watching while at the Red Cross.
I wasn't sure what I was going to do but decided that I would give blood. When I got to the Red Cross, I couldn't find a parking spot so I parked on the lawn. I spent 5 hours waiting to give what I thought would surely help all of the hurt and dying WTC people.
Even though the room was filled with over 200 people, it was silent. We were all transfixed on the television.
While I waited I could only think about my girls sitting at school not knowing what was going on. All I wanted to do was hold them close to me and know they were safe.
After leaving the Red Cross, I drove to the school only to be met with a notice that the school was on lockdown and no one would be allowed in under any circumstance. I felt a lump rise up in my throat as I panicked knowing my girls needed me. I tried to calm myself down and decided that they were indeed safe. I would've been no help in comforting anyone anyway.
When I got home and turned on the TV, I found things to be even worse. I sat watching in disbelief that something so evil could happen in the United States of America. My thoughts went to those that were in the buildings, planes and rescue teams. How afraid must they have been?
The girls came out of the school and ran to my waiting arms and kissed my tear stained cheeks. I held them close to me the entire night as I was left trying to explain the tragedy that I myself had no idea of why it happened.
Monday, September 11, 2006
A Day To Be Remembered
Gone but never forgotten.
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17 comments:
I will put up a similar post on Monday. That was the worst month I have ever lived through and I was not directly affected.
I can remember getting to work, then going home when I realized the magnitude of the events, and I just ended up staring at CNN, like so many others.
Andrew
To Love, Honor and Dismay
Sigh...
Hugs!
I headed straight down to the recruiting office that day.... glad they didn't take me back... lol
I remember the sounds of fighter jets booming overhead protecting all the Hudson river crossings...I remember c5's those huge cargo planes roaring over head all night long bringing supplies to Ground Zero...I remember every Firehouse in the county open 24 hours a day sending people and supplies down to NYC...I remember that day as if it were yesterday.
I don't think any of us will ever forget what we were doing that day.
And I don't think we should....
I had gone to the grocery store. My oldest grandson was in school, my youngest grandson was at home with grandpa. I over heard someone at the store talking about it they thought it was a hoaxs. I grab what I had in my cart checked out and drove home faster than allowed(thank goodness I live only 3 blocks away) I got in screamed at my hubby to turn on CNN just in time to see the second plane hit. I cried. I held my youngest grandson and worried about the oldest. Thankfully they didnt tell any of the school kids. Then I sat there and watched the rest unfold. Hubby and I talked at great lenght and wondered what was going to happen next. I dont think I ever cried so much in my life. I wondered if anyone I knew was still in NY. I prayed. something was was totally unusual for me. Then I wondered what in the world would the world be like growing up for my grandchildren? It was the most horrific thing I have even been witness to. And I pray to god that it will be the last.
Jenn, like you, I can clearly remember where I was and what I was doing when this horrific event happened.
I watched the second plane hit while staring at the television in my classroom. I called my Dad collect on the phone in front of my kids as tears streamed down my face, fearful because I couldn't get in touch with a dear friend who worked there.
My Dad and I talked as the first person jumped from the towers. I can still hear his harsh intake of breath.
Many people from my hometown commuted to the city as firemen, police officers, and financial masters in Manhatten. Many of them died that day. Funerals became the norm in the weeks that followed.
I can only hope that their survivors and those who survived the attacks in the Pentagon and WTC have found some semblance of peace.
I have found myself crying at every blog this morning.......
No, we will never forget
That is eerily similar to my 9/11 experience. I too got a call from someone to turn on the television and watched as the second plane hit the second tower. We kept seeing patients that day, but the office was silent except for the televisions. I can barely remember how we got through the day. It's all just a blur.
it is still so clear in our minds. I have tears in my eyes reading about your day and remembering mine.
love the new look too.
This is the first black and white photo I've seen today, after spending about 6 hours reading tributes. I like it.
I was "drawn" in to your blog by your avatar that changes. I don't even know how to put an avatar on my blog. My daughter did it for me.
I hope to navigate my way back here.
I too remember. Thankyou. I'm drawing us together...
I was at my computer (big surprise) and Milky IM'd me to turn on the tv. We watched together in shock. It was sooo horribly tragic. I'll never forget all the people running, their faces white with ash. I hope never to see such a thing again in my life time.
I along with the others will never forget that day for as long as I remember hearing about the 1st tower on the radio and the 2nd tower being hit live on tv. I cried as I watched it and my heart broke for everyone that lost loved ones. It still brings me to tears.
Jenn, at least you got the chance to give your life blood to help save lives.
Over here all we could do was watch the news as it came in. We so wanted to be able to help those poor people.
The one good thing that came out of all of this is that we are united in our feelings about that day.
Thanks for visiting. Did you get to the memorial. Still growing.
http://devilremembers.blogspot.com/
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