story6601.xml

story6601.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-12

My remembrance of September 11th actually begins long before the attacks occurred. On September 19, 1985 the Mexico City earthquake took my mom away from my sisters and me. My mom was a cleaning lady in a building that collapsed on top of her while trying to exit the building. Rescue workers and volunteers did find her body months later. All these memories came flooding back to me on Sept. 11th. As I watched rescue workers on top of all the rubble and chaos at the WTC site I couldn't help but think of all the people that lost a loved one the same way I had. I wept for the children who I knew would grow up without one of their parents. After my mom's body was recovered my dad lost his battle to leukemia in February of 1986. I learned about two boys who had lost both their parents in a similar way. The dad in the WTC attack and their mom due to illness a few months after. My heart went out to them. Even though Kuna, Idaho is a long way from where all the attacks took place, it really affected us. The few days following Sept. 11th, the feeling around here was eerie. Everyone seemed to be going about their business, but nobody looked as if their heart or mind was really in the task. Most people looked bewildered. I myself couldn't believe what had happened. I was adopted after my parents passed away and brought to this great country. I couldn't fathom the idea of someone sacarficing their lives and taking the lives of thousands of innocent people. I found myself glued to the tv after the attacks. I think I needed to see what I didn't in Mexico. My dad sheltered us a lot after the earthquake and we were not exposed to any media. I think I needed to watch and cry along with those people and get that out of my system. September was always a month I always dreaded. Now, it's even more painful for me.