A Day To Be Remembered

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.

Gone but never forgotten.