story4994.xml

story4994.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

I get up early in the morning because I am a school bus driver for Gilbert Schools. I always get up and pray before I go and then watch a little news. This day I got up turned on the tv and watched in horror as a plane hit the first tower and then a few minutes later another. I couldn't believe my eyes. I was thunderstruck. My thoughts went to the people on the planes and in the towers, and then to the families. I got ready and got my children ready. They came in and watched the tv for a while. I listened to the radio on the way to the compound. I was listening to the radio on the bus as the stories of all the flights were crashing and what was being hit. It seemed like a scene from a movie only this one we were a part of it all. It was really happening. It was so hard to believe. All my students were getting on the bus with looks on their faces. By the time we got to school they were numb and werent sure if they wanted to go to school. I was in the middle of my first run when our supervisor announced that due to the nature of content that we turn off our radios. I had students that day who were crying and some who wanted to hug me before hey got off the bus. We aren't supposed to hug them, but that day I did. I said a little prayer for each of my kids as I left them at the school. I called my mom and family. I went to the church and members were gathering for prayer. I wasn't sure what to pray, I was still numb fromthe shock.I just called upon the Lord and started to pray for all the people. When I went back to work, there were tvs set up in the break areas. The reports of the calls the passengers had made were coming across the news. I had to go outside I couldn't hear anymore.We put on smiles as we went to pick up the students and take them home. Some had gone home with their parents and a few were still there. The ride that day was very quiet compared to their usual. I said my usual "have a nice evening" as they got off the bus. I went home and unlike many others that day I hugged my family and thanked God I had them to kiss and say goodnight too.