story5199.xml

story5199.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

I was in my car , in a parking space listening to 96.5 TIC FM Radio Station, as I always do on my very short 1/2 mile drive to work from my children's school. The very second I was about to turn off the car, the newsman from the radio station, John Elliott came on and said a plane had just hit the WTC. I listended for a few seconds and hurried into the building. I got to my desk and immediatly turned on the radio, the same station was on. I work in a one attorney law firm and I am the only full time employee. I didn't say anything to my boss, who was in his office. I sat at my desk and continued to listen. My boss came out of his office and I told him a plane had hit the WTC. As I continued to listen in horror as John Elliott and Gary Craig, the morning show host, said the second plane had hit the other tower. I was speachless and there was a lump in my through and tears streaming down my face. I couldn't speak. I called my co-worker who comes in at 10:00 a.m. I asked her if she was watching tv or listening to the radio. She was not. I told her to turn on the TV. I also told her to bring a TV to work with her. She did. All day we watched in disbelief about what was happening to our Country. The rest of the day was just a blur. How could we work or concentrate when the NYC and DC and PA were under attack. I could barely speak. My only connection to New York is a childhood friend who was like my older sister. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and they both worked at NYU. Most of the time they traveled to work together on the subway. This day, they went at different times. Their stop was either one or two stops after the stop under the WTC. Her husband was at work in his office when the first plane hit. My friend, was still on the subway. She arrived at her stop safely, then she found out what was happening. She immediately went to her husband's office. They were ok. In the hours and days to come after the attacks, all I could do is watch and listen and cry. How could we not grieve. All those innocent people, all the families that would never be whole again, all the heros who selflessly saved so many lives and then lost their own. In the days to come, I spoke with my 10 and 5 year old. It was more difficulty for my 5 year old to really understand what was going on. We donated water and snacks that were brought to the searchers in NYC. I wanted to help in some way, I wanted my children to fell like they were helping in some small way. Watching TV today, one year later, the
lump was in my throat again. I flew my American Flag, put up a "united we stand" sign and said the Pledge of Allegience. This day will never be forgotten. Always Remember 9.11.01.