story7804.xml

story7804.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-17

We had a beautiful view of the towers from the northside of the 34th floor. I had just walked in when I saw the tail end of the plane hit the first tower. I couldn't believe what I had just seen. I ran to my desk and called my mom and said to put the news on. Everyone from the other side of the floor was rushing over. I stood in the empty conference room in front of my desk just starring at the huge flames, thinking... this looks like an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie. As I watched the flames and smoke from the first tower become bigger, the second plane came from behind and this huge fireball exploded right in front of me. My body was frozen, I couldn't even speak. I heard my bosses yelling to everyone-- we are evacuating the floor, please leave now. I just stood there,until my friend came in and grabbed me out. When we got down to the street, it was total craziness. All you heard was people screaming and trying to find someone to be with. People didn't know where to run, but they were running. There were massive flames and smoke everywhere. I decided to leave when I saw people jumping out of the building. All I could think of was my two kids. I had to rush home to them. I must of caught the last E train out from downtown which took me to 42nd Street and I literally ran acrosstown to the #7 train to Queens. The people on the train were clueless until some passanges received the news on their beepers. With each creep through the tunnel, I prayed I would make it to the next. I parked my car in Long Island City, near the Midtown Tunnel. As I was waiting in my car for the light to change, I turned and saw the tower collapse--complete devistation for me. I really felt like I was in a war zone. All I wanted was to hug and kiss my kids and go home. It felt like forever. At 11:30 am, I picked up the baby from the babysitters and came home. My other son was safe in school. I stayed in my house for three days after September 11th and didn't return to work until September 20th. For weeks I had nightmares and couldn't sleep. This tradegy was so very sad for so many people. In November, 2001, I lost my job because of these attacks. I haven't been in the city since, but I am home safe and sound with my two children.