story5065.xml

story5065.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

I was 7 months pregnant with our first child, a son, and my husband was working in Manhattan. I had run to the grocery store early (about 8:45am) to buy cake mix, as my husbands birthday is 9/14. In the car, I turned on the radio, and heard people calling in talking about a plane hitting the world trade center. At first, I thought it was one of those practical jokes most radio station play, and continued to listen thinking "this is not funny?!?". Within seconds I realized it was true, however, it did not fully impact me until I got home and turned on the television. The moment I turned on the tv, I watched live as the second plane hit. In a panic, I started trying to call my husbands cell phone. I kept trying and trying while watching the tv, and as the first tower fell, I finally got him on the phone. I fell apart, begging him to please come home, even if it meant quitting his job (that he has been at for 11 years). All I could think of was him being killed before our son was born. I stayed on the phone with him as I watched the second tower fall on tv. He stayed in the city until one outgoing lane was finally opened on the George Washington Bridge. He was first in line as they moved the cones and emergency vehicles out of the way. When he walked in the door that night, I hugged him, and held onto him knowing just how lucky I was to have him come home. I was glued to the tv for the next couple of weeks, still in complete shock that such a horrible tragedy could have happened, right in our back yard! And I watched, as family members prayed and begged for information on their loved ones. To be honest, I didn't know just how deeply I was affected until today, one year later. There is a fear and a terrible sadness that has been permanently tattooed in my mind. Its a feeling that I pray, my son never has to know or feel. I want him to feel the way I used too, before 9/11/01... safe and secure. I am so sorry to all the families that have lost a loved one that day. May we never have to experience such an event again.