story10611.xml
Title
story10611.xml
Source
born-digital
Media Type
story
Date Entered
2004-05-18
911DA Story: Story
It was one of those days! Starting with a mad rush out the door as usual on Sept 11. I remember standing at the door, keys in hand and yelling to my two daughters that they were going to make us all late if they didn't hurry it along. I had just started my first year of teaching after taking time to stay home with my children. I had gotten a job teaching a first grade class, in the small rural area in which we live. The school was being remodeled and had no cable access at the time. When I first heard the rumor that a plane had hit the first tower, I was just saddened to hear a terrible accident had taken place. Not once in my mind did I even think it was on purpose! I started to cry for those that had been hurt in the accident, never even thinking just how many poor souls I would later cry for. When the second plane hit I remember finally thinking "OH MY GOD!" this isn?t an accident.
I remember my principal coming down the hall saying that we were in "lock down" mode. This meant that no one would be leaving the building or entering without being checked out. Frantic parents running into the school to get their children, my other students being scared by just the look on the grownups faces, and the feeling of thankfulness that my daughters were safe and sound at work with me are the most I remember about that day.
Later at home I finally watched the TV coverage and was both saddened and sickened by the destruction of that day. I cried for all those lost, for mothers not being about to kiss their babies again, for fathers never going home, but mostly for those children that would be forever changed.
I never want to forget that day. When my girls are late and we need to rush I stop and think now, how lucky we are to just have normal everyday problems. I no longer take for granted the gifts I have been given. Life is a bit slower for me now, I take time to stop and enjoy the moment.
I have a cousin that married a man from Europe, for years he has told me that we Americans were like ostriches with our heads in the sand about the evils around us and the way other countries view we Americans. I hope that they now see how strong and bonded we are now after September 11th.
I remember my principal coming down the hall saying that we were in "lock down" mode. This meant that no one would be leaving the building or entering without being checked out. Frantic parents running into the school to get their children, my other students being scared by just the look on the grownups faces, and the feeling of thankfulness that my daughters were safe and sound at work with me are the most I remember about that day.
Later at home I finally watched the TV coverage and was both saddened and sickened by the destruction of that day. I cried for all those lost, for mothers not being about to kiss their babies again, for fathers never going home, but mostly for those children that would be forever changed.
I never want to forget that day. When my girls are late and we need to rush I stop and think now, how lucky we are to just have normal everyday problems. I no longer take for granted the gifts I have been given. Life is a bit slower for me now, I take time to stop and enjoy the moment.
I have a cousin that married a man from Europe, for years he has told me that we Americans were like ostriches with our heads in the sand about the evils around us and the way other countries view we Americans. I hope that they now see how strong and bonded we are now after September 11th.
Collection
Citation
“story10611.xml,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed January 9, 2025, https://911digitalarchive.org/items/show/11827.