story4153.xml

story4153.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

Last year on September 11th, the day started off pretty normal. I arrived at school at the usual time- 7:10 (normal school starts at 9, but I have dance team practice). My dance team, Hyline, and I had stretched and kicked and were practicing our dance for the upcoming pep rally when we heard the announcement. It said something like, "Teachers, please refrain from turning on the televisions during your classes, something has happened in New York. PLease do not turn on the news." Of course, the whole drill team looked around in wonderment, what on earth could have happened? Our director, Mrs. Loomis, went into her office where she had a small white television. She stayed in her office for a while. Then at the end of practice, 9:30, she came out to the team during circle and told us that some planes had been hijacked and one had crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City. We were all completely stunned, but we had absolutely no idea of the real terror going on. So, we all got dressed in the locker room. Someone turned on the radio and we listened to what was happening out in the world. Then, on my way past Mrs Loomis' office i saw the tv turned on and i saw the live footage of what was going on in New York. Another plane had crashed, the towers had begun to fall. I couldnt tear my eyes away from the screen. I wanted to stay in the office all day and watch. But Mrs Loomis made us go to class. Throughout the day, various teachers on their televisions on and we watched what was happening in New York. The same horrible footage, over and over again of the planes crashing, people jumping from windows, the towers falling and people running for their lives. School didn't seem important at all. Why did i have to be here? Were my relatives from Conneticutt ok? I just wanted to go home and cry. And I think i did as soon as i got home from school. I felt numb, I felt like all the stupid, trivial problems in my life were absolutely nothing compared to this. I turned to God for answers, how could He let this happen? What was the purpose? My faith took an interesting journey over the next couple of days, but I ended up stronger in my belief for God. Although the WTC and pentagon tragedies shocked our nation, it brought such a diverse country so much closer together. For a few days religion, race, gender didn't matter. People clung to strangers for help, our nation was a solid unit. We all leaned on each other for support. We were all so vulnerable, so fearsome we couldnt help but turn to each other for reassurance. Our nation has grown since September 11 and while that day will probably be one of the worst days in history, our country came out of it stronger than ever.