Has it really been 10 years? The memory is so vivid. I don’t think any of us will ever forget where we were, and what we were doing when it happened.
On the morning of September 11, 2001, I was driving to work. At the time, my husband produced and co-hosted a morning radio show, so I was listening to his show as I drove. As soon as the news hit that a plane had crashed into the first tower my husband’s show reported it, and as odd as I thought the news was, I didn’t fear the worst. When I arrived at work, I turned off the car (and radio), and walked to my work building, which, was a state building. I went upstairs to my office and as soon as I sat down, a co-worker ran into my office and told me she heard another plane crashed into the other tower. I was speechless. At first, I thought rumors were already starting to flow. I knew the truth when my boss called me into her office and on her tiny television screen were two buildings enveloped in smoke. I remember feeling numb. Was this really happening?
There was about five of us staring at that tiny television when it finally hit us. We were under attack. Soon, there was an intercom announcement telling all non-essential staff to go home because we were state workers, in a state building, and they were not going to take any chances. We remembered our own attach on the Alfred E. Murrah building all too well. My first instinct was to be with my son, who was at my sitter’s house, so I called my husband from my desktop phone (we didn’t have cell phones then), and I told him I was on my way home. He told me that he actually saw the second plane hit the second building in real time. I just wanted to get all of us home.
I don’t think we could pry ourselves away from the news. I remember a friend of mine coming over because she was scared and didn’t know what to do. None of us knew what to do. Oklahoma City had experienced a bombing before, but that didn’t prepare us for this. It did, however, put things in perspective. Life soon became so delicate, precious, and short.
A few months after 9/11, in January 2002, I quit my state job to be home full-time with my son. It was where my heart needed to be.
In April 2002, my husband and I visited NYC. I wasn’t sure what the mood would be like, with the attack still so fresh in the city’s mind. It was nothing like my first visit to NYC in 1997, where I begged for directions and help navigating the subway system. It was so very different. My husband carried a subway map with us at all times, and every time we pulled it out a New Yorker would come up and help us. Instead of a city full of despair and grief, I saw one full of warmth and welcome. They wanted us there.
When I remember 9/11, I obviously remember the horror, but I am also reminded of how precious life really is. How can we possible take one day for granted? We cannot.
Where were you on 9/11? How were you affected? Feel free to leave a comment or a link to your personal story.
About Mom Spark
Here’s my 9/11 story, where I was, the feelings etc…
http://acouchwithaview.blogspot.com/2009/09/moment-of-silence.html
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I was in history class and I remember my teacher saying something like “wow, this is history in the making.” It was all very surreal.
I’m in Ontario, so things weren’t quite as intense up here, but you could feel it.
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Here’s my story..
http://pinkandposh.net/2009/09/remembering-911/
I’ve been reading similar stories all day and the most common feeling was like you said, a numbness. It was a sad, sad day.
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This is great Amy. I am so glad to see so many posts today about 9/11. It is a day not to be forgotten. I wrote about it on my blog too. http://prairie-mama.blogspot.com/2009/09/not-just-another-day.html
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I had just dropped my kids off at school and was on my way home. Listening to the car radio, I heard the news that the first Tower had been hit, then the second. My husband works at an Air Force base. I called him to find out if he knew anything. The base was on lockdown and no one was leaving. It was surreal!
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Here is my story.
I Remember…
http://www.thoughtsnstuff.com/?p=462
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I remember I was at home taking care of my kids. And then I was cooking when I open the television and Bang! Here’s the bad news! I was shock and I almost put our house in fire. I forgot to turn-off the stove and my fried pork was burn. I called my husband and he went home earlier than usual. From that moment we just felt so bad about 9/11…
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I know exactly where I was. I was driving to drop off my husband for surgery. We were listening to a morning talk show that does a lot of pranks. I thought what they were saying was one of these tricks, but it kept going and going. I raced to my office and watched the happenings all afternoon.
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I remember–the fear, the anxiety, the feeling of wanting to be with all of my family.
here’s my post
http://didoodlings.com/what-did-you-lose-on-9-11/
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Mom Spark Reply:
September 11th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
Thank you for sharing your story.
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I have left a link to my story….thank you for encouraging others to share their 9/11 memories.
http://www.homegrownlearners.com/2011/09/on-eagles-wings-remembering-911.html?m=1
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Mom Spark Reply:
September 11th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
Thank you for stopping by and sharing your story.
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I had just put my 5-year-old on the bus to kindergarten and dropped my 3-year-old off at school. Once home I started reviewing galley proofs for a book I was managing. My sister called to ask me if I knew. I turned on the TV and didn’t turn it off for weeks.
I called my dad since one of his work friends worked in the World Trade Center. I was relieved to find out his friend no longer worked in there.
The galley proofs were due to be FedExed back to the printer that day. I missed my deadline of course.
I’m still surprised that school and work was in session the next day. We got back to business as usual. Only we were all going through the motions.
My post on my blog: http://www.musingsfromme.com/work-interrupted-where-were-you-911/
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Mom Spark Reply:
September 12th, 2011 at 8:41 am
@musingsfromme/Jill, Thank you for sharing your story, Jill.
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Here is my story – thanks for inspiring me to write it!! http://mommynewsblog.com/september-11-2011-in-remembrance/
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Mom Spark Reply:
September 12th, 2011 at 8:41 am
@Judy @MommyNews Blog, Thank you for sharing, Judy. I still can’t believe it has been 10 years.
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I had just woke up and was heading to work. I watched some with my roommates who were from Chicago. I remember them freaking out and wanting to go home. I didn’t know what I was going to do. I was 5 hours from my hometown with an unreliable car so I couldn’t go home. I was working at Applebee’s and we actually never opened that day.
I kind of have the same feelings as other people I’ve read today. I was numb and didn’t know what to think. I think I’m more affected today then I was 10 years ago. Maybe it’s because I’m in a different place in my life as a mother. Or maybe it’s the fact that my brother has since joined the Air National Guard and has been over there. Most recently, it was the death of a coworkers brother who was one of the soldiers who found Osama and then was in the helicopter that was shot down. It’s moments like that remind me what thankful I am for everyone and everything I have in my life.
Michelle B´s last [type] ..Fall Fashion: Sweaters
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Here is a link to my story and my connection to Shankesville, PA. Thank you for sharing your story and allowing me to share mine. http://nepamom.com/2011/09/remembering-911/
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Our world changed that day. Hugs to everyone involved. Here is my story http://one2try.net/2011/09/remember-the-families-today/
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Thanks for sharing your story. It is great to read other stories as we tended to have same feelings. It was horrific and we wanted to be with our family. I tell me story teaching third grade here: http://drawingthelinesomewhere.com/remembering-911/
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