story2940.xml
Title
story2940.xml
Source
born-digital
Media Type
story
Date Entered
2002-09-11
911DA Story: Story
On September 10th, 2001 I made my first move away from home from Cincinnati to Boston by car in one day. (I had recently been transferred by an international airline) Around dinnertime I was stuck in the God Awful New York traffic on an empty stomach when the twin towers came into view. My Boyfriend harassed me to dig for my camera that was hidden in one of the suitcases thrown disorderly in the back. After ten whole seconds of effort I snapped "It's no big deal.... they'll be there tomorrow. It's not like we won't see them again".
The next day, September 11th, was supposed to be my first day of work. At 9:00 AM the telephone rang which I assumed was my wake-up call an hour earlier than I had asked for. I yelled "Call me in an hour" in the phone and went back to bed. The phone rang again and the meek voice of a family member asked me to turn on my television. I think that everyone else can imagine what I saw.
For two weeks I tried to go to the airport in a cloud of confusion to be refused entry. When I was finally allowed in no new badges were issued. Without being able to work at the gates I was assigned the task of sending flowers to United and American, Organizing the signing of sympathy cards and apologizing to hundreds of people anxious to return home with no flights. One of my co-workers lost his roommate who was a flight attendant on United Flight 175.
At first I could only realize the deaths of 2801 innocent people as a devastatingly cruel loss. After seeing millions of people united in recovery, overflowing with patriotism, motivated in hope unable to do anything but appreciate the most wonderful things in life that we once took for granted I now realize that September 11th has only been our gain. 2801 people lost their lives and gave meaning to the lives of 284,796,887 others.
Even in my new office with 15 shades of skin, 15 different ethnic backgrounds, a cornucopia of religions, languages, economic backgrounds and moral beliefs we are all united as Americans.
On the anniverssary of the attacks, I organized a moment of silence at 9:59 AM (The time the first tower fell) out of respect for the victims, the heroes and my 284,796,887 brothers and sisters who I will continue to make a conscious effort to respect, love unbiased and appreciate.
I invite anyone else who wants to take a moment to remember every year on the anniversary to join me.
The next day, September 11th, was supposed to be my first day of work. At 9:00 AM the telephone rang which I assumed was my wake-up call an hour earlier than I had asked for. I yelled "Call me in an hour" in the phone and went back to bed. The phone rang again and the meek voice of a family member asked me to turn on my television. I think that everyone else can imagine what I saw.
For two weeks I tried to go to the airport in a cloud of confusion to be refused entry. When I was finally allowed in no new badges were issued. Without being able to work at the gates I was assigned the task of sending flowers to United and American, Organizing the signing of sympathy cards and apologizing to hundreds of people anxious to return home with no flights. One of my co-workers lost his roommate who was a flight attendant on United Flight 175.
At first I could only realize the deaths of 2801 innocent people as a devastatingly cruel loss. After seeing millions of people united in recovery, overflowing with patriotism, motivated in hope unable to do anything but appreciate the most wonderful things in life that we once took for granted I now realize that September 11th has only been our gain. 2801 people lost their lives and gave meaning to the lives of 284,796,887 others.
Even in my new office with 15 shades of skin, 15 different ethnic backgrounds, a cornucopia of religions, languages, economic backgrounds and moral beliefs we are all united as Americans.
On the anniverssary of the attacks, I organized a moment of silence at 9:59 AM (The time the first tower fell) out of respect for the victims, the heroes and my 284,796,887 brothers and sisters who I will continue to make a conscious effort to respect, love unbiased and appreciate.
I invite anyone else who wants to take a moment to remember every year on the anniversary to join me.
Collection
Citation
“story2940.xml,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed January 6, 2025, https://911digitalarchive.org/items/show/13922.