story5782.xml

story5782.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-12

September 11 started out as any ordinary day at school. The day just started to get darker when I left my first class. As I walked down the hall of my college, I saw a bunch of people standing around a tv. They all looked like they saw a ghost. I went up to one of the professors and asked what had happened, she turned to me and said a plane has just hit the world trade center. I asked her if she knew what company the plane belonged to because my aunt works for American Airlines. My heart just dropped because I knew she was flying that day. I called everyone in my family to ask if they had heard anything and they didn't. Then when I turned around and looked at the tv the second plane had crashed into the second building. I just started to cry even harder. I fell to my knees. Every one around me was holding one another. This was the first time I had ever seen all of the races at my school getting along. I went to class late and there was only a few people there. After about 10 minutes of class someone ran in and said that they were going to close down the school because they feared that the school may be in danger. At this point I did not know about the pentagon and the plane that had crashed in the field. I had got into my car and turned on the radio to try and piece all of the parts that I had missed. They broke in and said that all major businesses downtown Chicago were closing down for the day because they thought we were next. Then I kept thinking if my fiances father was ok because he worked near the Sears tower. The fear just grew more in me. When I got home I turned the tv on and found out about the attack on the pentagon and the plane that had crashed in the field. I just started to cry again. I remember that I was crying so hard that I couldn't hardly breath. I went to my fiances house and just watched in terror. I couldn't help but think about if my aunt was ok. He just held me as I cried. We tried calling his father but there was no answer so we had no clue where he was. I couldn't believe the sight of people jumping to there death and people burning to death. Those deadly images still run through my mind to this day. I just can't imagine who could do such a thing in pleasure. I worried all night until finally my aunt called and said that after the first crash, her plane was grounded and she was ok. I thank god everyday that she is ok. Practically all of my family works for American Airlines and I don't think I could have been able to handle seeing my aunts death. That night I went outside and created a little candle light vigual in loving memory of all that had died. I remember just sitting there watching everything happening and feeling so helpless. I wish I could have gone there and helped. Instead I gave blood and donations to try and help but to this day I feel as if it was not enough. I will never forget all of our heros that died. I am greatful to have people who will risk their lives for those who are around them. It just touches me because seemed to be so rude and ugly to one another and then something terrible has to happen for all of us americans to come together. I would like to be able to depend on others to help. I think all Americans have learned from this experience and it will help us all to become better people for our future children. God Bless America. My love and heart goes out to everyone who has suffered. I am proud to live in America.

Heather C
Chicago