story1257.xml
Title
story1257.xml
Source
born-digital
Media Type
story
Date Entered
2002-08-19
911DA Story: Story
I remember that I was preparing to leave the house and the TV was on. It was the most picture perfect sunny day that I can ever remember. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and the sky was endlessly blue. I remember thinking it was just too beautiful to go anywhere.
As I watched the plane strike the World Trade Tower I was frozen in disbelief. Then when the second plane hit it was a feeling of such utter shock and horror that I still can't find the words to descibe that moment. I was frozen in time.
Then I thought about my youngest child,Sarah, who was living in New York and should have been on the subway to school. Her answering machine picked up in the apartment. I left a positive message saying I was glad she was at school.
I couldn't reach her by cell phone. I had to hear her voice. Still she couldn't be reached. My mind raced. All those people in the building.
I called family members and friends. I just wanted to connect. What if this was the end? I knew it was the end. The end to a time and a way of being we had all known and taken for granted.
Finally late in the day I heard Sarah's voice. It was so reassuring. I was so grateful and yet saddened with the knowledge of others who would not be so fortunate.
I don't remember when I finally felt comfortable enough to turn off the TV. It was weeks. I felt compelled to stay informed. I was carrying heavy baggage. There was no relief. What had happened to the human race? So much violence and turmoil and pain. Would I ever feel light hearted again?
Yes but not to the same extent. There is always that fear lurking just below the surface that something sinister is about to happen. I still get anxious if I miss the national news broadcast. I am cautious but more importantly I am also consciously grateful.
I am grateful for every day, good, bad or in between. I feel especially lucky to be a woman living in a society that provides so much freedom of thought and expression. I am grateful for the love of family and friends. I see the blue sky. I say a very heartfelt thank you and think of those who are not here. May their loved ones be comforted and enoy the blue sky as well. God bless America and the planet we all share.
As I watched the plane strike the World Trade Tower I was frozen in disbelief. Then when the second plane hit it was a feeling of such utter shock and horror that I still can't find the words to descibe that moment. I was frozen in time.
Then I thought about my youngest child,Sarah, who was living in New York and should have been on the subway to school. Her answering machine picked up in the apartment. I left a positive message saying I was glad she was at school.
I couldn't reach her by cell phone. I had to hear her voice. Still she couldn't be reached. My mind raced. All those people in the building.
I called family members and friends. I just wanted to connect. What if this was the end? I knew it was the end. The end to a time and a way of being we had all known and taken for granted.
Finally late in the day I heard Sarah's voice. It was so reassuring. I was so grateful and yet saddened with the knowledge of others who would not be so fortunate.
I don't remember when I finally felt comfortable enough to turn off the TV. It was weeks. I felt compelled to stay informed. I was carrying heavy baggage. There was no relief. What had happened to the human race? So much violence and turmoil and pain. Would I ever feel light hearted again?
Yes but not to the same extent. There is always that fear lurking just below the surface that something sinister is about to happen. I still get anxious if I miss the national news broadcast. I am cautious but more importantly I am also consciously grateful.
I am grateful for every day, good, bad or in between. I feel especially lucky to be a woman living in a society that provides so much freedom of thought and expression. I am grateful for the love of family and friends. I see the blue sky. I say a very heartfelt thank you and think of those who are not here. May their loved ones be comforted and enoy the blue sky as well. God bless America and the planet we all share.
Collection
Citation
“story1257.xml,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed January 9, 2025, https://911digitalarchive.org/items/show/12719.