story6046.xml

story6046.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-12

I had left work to go home for something I needed. While driving back to work, I heard on the radio that a plane had hit the world trade center. I assumed it was a small private plane that had lost control. By the time I arrived back at work, word was out that it was a commercial plane that had hit. My coworkers and I were scrambling to the computers to see who could log on first to the internet for more information. One of my friends turned on his radio. We sat huddled around the radio waiting for the computer to show details of the events. Then we heard a second plane crashed into the other tower in New York, then moments later, a plane crashed into the Pentagon, then a while later a plane crashed in Pennsylvania. It felt like the world had gone crazy and this was the end. I remember seeing the images on the computer of the crash of the twin towers and crying for those poor people and their families. It was a very scary feeling - like something unknown was attacking, and we couldn't stop it. I feared for my family. My two boys were at school, and my husband had gone to the grocery store with our daughter. I was frantic when I couldn't get him on the phone. I called my sister, no answer (she was at the same grocery store as my husband) - both totally unaware of what had happened. I then tried my parents - no answer. They were out for the day. I remember feeling very paniced and couldn't wait to leave work. We watched in horror as the twin towers can crashing down and the images of the people running for their lives. It was very scary. When I did go home that day after finally talking to my family members, I hugged my kids so tight I never wanted to let go. My son, who was in 6th grade, came home and fell apart in my arms crying. He was so scared. My husband and I reassured him that things were under control. My husband then had to go to work. My son didn't want him to go. He was afraid that if we had to evacuate, we'd lose dad. I assured him we would wait for him or meet him at a designated point. His fears were never really calmed until we made plans for an evacuation and I packed a bag full of the things we would need to take with us. We live in Windsor Locks, Connecticut right near Bradley International Airport. It was very eery and too quiet that night as all planes were grounded. We sat outside with our neighbors and lit candles, raised our flags, and prayed. I'll never forget that day. The day the world changed and Americans reunited as one.