I woke up today thinking about September 11th, even before I saw all the internet headlines. All those people gone, all those families touched in an instant of insane cruelty, I can’t tell you how lucky I feel to have all my family here with me today. I think September 11th, 2001 is for this generation their Kennedy moment.
For me I remember the day like it was yesterday, I was a bundle of nerves, because I was heading off early to the hospital for a breast biopsy. I had a lump in my breast that needed attention or so a recent mammogram had said. The waiting room to have the procedure done was attached to the emergency room, waiting room, thus there were a lot of televisions on. When I got to the hospital the first plane had hit a tower, possibly the second one had as well. As I watched what was going on, none of the other patients or I had a clue at that point.
I asked a woman beside me, “what’s going on?”
She said, “I don’t know some sort of fire in New York. I think a plane crashed into a building.”
By then I was called in for my biopsy- I was prepped and ready to go when the doctor couldn’t find my lump… there was a ridge but no lump. A few more doctors were called in and they decided there was nothing to biopsy. In minutes I was dressed and relieved to not have had a needle stuck into me. I was ushered out and told to come in for a follow up in a few weeks, to note anymore changes. Sure I was relieved, but at the same time felt dazed and like a sense of dread was hanging over me.
Instead of heading directly to work, I decided to head the other direction and home. My job was expecting me to be in quite late and since I was still in college at the time, I thought I would catch up on some emails. Instead of working on school work however, I went home and turned on the television. By then the newscasters were slowly figuring out what was happening. Within minutes of turning on the t.v. – I watched horrified as the first tower fell. I suddenly felt very alone and I picked up the phone and called my father who seemed half a world away. We both babbled at each other, wondering what was going on. After some time the second tower fell. Pictures and media of the event unfolding live on television. I was really afraid at that point and didn’t want to be physically alone. So around noon after my nerves had calmed somewhat I finally drove to work. There everyone was a mess, no one was working. People were on the internet and the radios trying to figure out what happened. Some had brought in televisions at the lunch hour and people huddled around them looking for answers.
I don’t remember the rest of the day… I don’t even remember getting home or picking up my children from daycare. I do remember that week walking at night in the Autumn air alone to clear my head. Autumn is normally my favorite time of the year. An ominous chill hung over this Autumn though. As I walked my mind constantly replayed everything I had seen on television. Every house I walked by had the news on, faces were glued to their sets, looking for answers. It seemed I couldn’t get away from September 11th- I couldn’t forget.
I remember that day too. I’m Canadian and didn’t know what the world trade center looked like or anything about it really. I remember being in class and hearing there had been a terrorist attack. A plane had flown into a building…. I had no idea what to think or the gravity of it all but once they made announcements over the intercom I knew it was something very serious.
its still shocking to think about it and what the people working there must have went through in their last moments.
how could anyone possibly think that they were killing people for a good purpose?! insane
I was actually living in NY at the time on Long Island. I ditched work so I could go help (I was an EMT) I spent the first day unloading injured people from ferry boats, and the next two weeks on standby at the WTC incase anyone was recovered. When my crew wasn’t on standby, we were usually at an offsite location where workers met before and after working to be bussed in. We prepped food and drinks for them after they got back from “the pile”.
I was half a world away in the Philippines. I remember it was 2am but I was awakened because of the ringing of my cellphone, someone texted me what happened so I turned the tv on. Needless to say, I was shocked beyond belief with what I saw and stayed awake till morning.
Hey- Beat Black I imagine that the Canadians were pretty freaked out too… thanks for your comment about where you were that day. I remember afterward there were some incidents where they caught would be terrorists trying to make it over into to Canada to do some pretty serious damage… FREAKY stuff. It frightens me sometimes to think of losing a child to terrorism or war- my two oldest are getting to be draft age.
Hi Mike- thanks for your comment as well. I can imagine that was pretty life altering being at ground zero and I am sure your efforts were much appreciated and valued.
Paula- Half a world away perhaps, but I do know that your comment illustrates clearly how much the whole world just stopped what they were doing because of the shock. Thanks for sharing!
I don’t think anyone will forget the important things of that day, mainly the innocent lives lost. My cousin was chatting with me on IM when he suddenly wrote me that they were evacuating his building. I was so terrified for him. I made him call me as soon as he got home and I waited by that telephone. I’m so glad your lump disappeared.
I was at work when it happened but was able to watch some of the coverage during my breaks. A 21 year old guy said, “Wow…that’s so cool!” when we saw the 2nd explosion. I screamed at him and explained why it wasn’t cool. I suppose he was too young to understand it? It sure is easy to remember that day.
Let’s hope it doesn’t happen again. Thanks for writing about it, I really enjoyed this post
Hi Teeni- yes I am glad the lump disappeared, cancer has taken 3 people in my family at least that we know off. I am not ready to go… I bet that was so scary for your cousin and you were probably on pins and needles the whole time waiting.
Hey Bobby- I bet that kid has figured it out by now- that 9 11 was not cool… I blame movies and don’t think he meant much harm. From a pyrotechnic “I watch to many sci fi & action movies” stand point it probably did look cool… I think too that we are desensitized about violence from watching too much news. It never effect us, until it effects our own and that is sad. It’s sadwhen people lose their ability to empathize.