story3523.xml

story3523.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

During a coffee break from a training class given by my job, I saw the first news reports of the tragic events in New York. Having been born and raised in Queens, NY I had been to the WTC and surrounding area countless times. I was absolutely silent but completely glued to the TV screen from the time the first plane hit. I immediately recognized the castrophic enormity these events had as they unfolded. I remember praying and calling my Pastor because I knew I needed to fill my spiritual being. Although I was able to get in touch with my immediate family I also prayed for the families of all the people that were not going to see their loved ones again. I felt this overwhelming sense of grief and despair for all the families and not just my own.
My co-workers went back to their classes and I was unable to understand, how they didn't understand, that history was changing right before our eyes. The class instructor just continued as if nothing was happening. That really hurt me because we have to learn that this world is so much bigger than our individual lives.
After seeing the news reports that night, the instructor left me a voice mail apologizing for her actions that day. She said she now realized why I was so upset but she did not have a perspective on the situation until watching the news reports and hearing of all the damages and loss of life.
Thank you for letting me express what I have never put into words before.