story9881.xml

story9881.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-09-11

I live in California with my husband and 2 sons, so we were still sleeping. My sister called from Boston. She sounded very frightened. I couldn't believe it when she told me planes had attacked the World Trade Center. My husband had just gotten home from work. (he is a restaurant manager. Long hours). Before I turned on the tv, I actually debated whether I should wake him or let him sleep. Then, I turned on the tv. I was in total shock and disbelief. I immediately ran to wake him up. We couldn't believe what we were watching.Calls from my family came pouring in. I was so scared. I cried the whole day. I kept my kids home from school. I remember us going to the supermarket that day. Everyone was walking with these blank expressionless faces. It was the eeriest, strangest feeling watchin these faces slowly walk past us. My kids didn't really understand why I was so upset. Now, 2 years later, I feel that they Do indeed understand the magnitude of that day. Unfortunately, the world has forever changed. Instead of hiding them from everything, we let them watch with us as events unfolded. They helped me attach a flag to our car... we watched the candlelight vigils etc... I have saved so many clippings etc from that day so as to never forget. There is one instance in particular that I will Never be able to get out of my head... ever. I was watching the news and there was a "montage" of pictures and sundbites. This man said that he was looking for his brother. He said that he used to push him out of his bed when they were little. Now, he wishes he could find him to hug him. To this day I would love to give that man a hug. I have 2 sons and can totally relate to love like that. It will forever haunt me wondering if that man is okay.