story506.xml

story506.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-05-03

My story isn't as heartbreaking as those of the New York Fire Department or as tragic as those who lost loved ones in the attacks on September 11th, but it is nonetheless my story. I live in a small town about one hour west of Chicago where nothing extraordinary ever seems to happen, but the attacks changed that, as well as the lives of everyone around the world. Never again will I take my safety in this country for granted.
The day started out like any other, I got ready to go to class at the local community college about 15 minutes from my home and was waiting to be picked up by a friend when I heard the news. My dad called from work to say that he had heard a plane hit the one of the World Trade Towers and to turn on the television. My first reaction was that it was just a tragic accident and that only a small plane had hit the tower. By the time I turned on the t.v. the second plane had already hit and my mom and I rushed upstairs to turn on that t.v. because there was a terrible glare on the t.v. we had first turned on.
At that time my friend rang the doorbell and I told her what had happened. We both went upstairs to watch the t.v. with my mom for a few minutes before we had to leave. We all just stood there, none of us speaking, we didn't know what to say and I don't think any of us truely understood the full implications of what was happening. Those few minutes passed quickly and before we knew it we were running late and had to tear ourselves from the t.v.
The ride to the college was unreal. Every radio station we turned on had news of the attacks and terrorism was being hinted at. While driving to the college the Pentagon was hit and fear went through my body. It was so scary to know what was happening but not being able to see it or know what was going to happen next. A mile or two before we reached the college we had to stop at my friend's aunt's house to drop off some Mary Kay makeup and while we were there the first tower fell. We were speechless and all I could think about was the people who didn't make it out in time.
By the time we reached the college it seemed like everyone we talked to knew what was happening and none of us felt like being in class. We all just wanted to find a t.v. and watch the tragedy unfold. When our teacher arrived she was completely clueless as to what had happened and all of us started talking at once to explain the situation. After hearing the news she wanted to be near a t.v. as badly as we did and she canceled class so we could find a t.v. on campus to watch.
It only took us a few minutes to find a t.v. and the one we found was located in the center of one of the halls and already a ton of people had gathered around it. It seemed like all the teachers had canceled classes and every seat in the area around the t.v. was taken. It became standing room only and there was no room to get by anyone. My friend and I watched for awhile and then decided to find a less crowded location where we could sit down. We spent the better part of two hours in the cafeteria watching t.v. and waiting for our next classes to begin.
My class started on time and this teacher wasn't as sympathetic as the last. We had class, but everyone was distracted and learning algebra just didn't seem important. I couldn't wait for class to be over so I could go home. I just couldn't believe what had happened and was thirsty for more news.
Class eventually ended an hour and fifteen minutes later and my friend and I headed home. The rest of the day was spent talking about the attacks with my family and keeping a vigil over the t.v. I never lost anyone in the attacks, but my life changed forever in just those few moments on the morning of September 11th, 2001.