story6479.xml

story6479.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-12

I had just parked my car near my job and since I had arrived a few moments early, I sat pondering what we would do to celebrate my sons 3rd birthday. He was born 9/11/98. I heard over the radio station that a plane had hit one of the towers. At first I thought it was a sick joke because that particular station was so comical. I immediately turned to a news station and the same thing was repeated. I still was not thinking terrorist attack but an accidental crash. When the second plane hit I began to pray as tears filled my eyes. I prayed for God to have mercy on all of those innocent lives. Yet I still did not know the magnitude of devastation and turmoil to come.
No one could concentrate on work. Almost everyone knew of someone who worked in the World Trade Center and we all cried and prayed together.

Once returning home I felt empty inside and helpless. Needless to say, there was no birthday cake, no balloons or party. How could we when so many people were missing, found dead, lost, or greaving for their loved ones. I just held my son in my arms and my other three children and told them how much I loved them. I had one family member who made it out of tower one and I thank God continuously, yet I will still greave for all who had their lives snatched away from them. My prayers go out to all the widows, children without their parent, parents without their child, to the families of the EMS, NYFD, NYPD and everyone who gave in some way or another. I dedicate this to the memory of Mrs. Fairben's (of P.S. 127Q - CSD 30) son, an EMS worker who lost his life trying to save others on 9/11 (my oldest sons 4th grade teacher). RIP