story5823.xml

story5823.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-12

Today is September 11, 2002. I have spent much of the day thinking and reflecting, not only about the tragic events of that day exactly one year ago, but about all of the days since then. I have had 365 days to grieve, mourn, reflect, grow, and mature. I have done these things in great amounts. I have achieved goals and dealt with problems, one just as painful as 9/11, and I understand more. However, no matter how much has happened since then, the memory is vividly clear, as if it happened just moments ago.
It's second period. Im sitting in the fifth seat of the first row of Mr. Fletcher's junior english class. But im not thinking about english, im thinking about summer. The beach, the sun, the girls, just being innocent. Then our principal Mr. Kemeza comes over the intercom and informs the students that there has been an attack on the world trade center. In a sudden wave of fearfull confusion I think "World Trade center, New York. I dont know anybody in New York." Deep breath... But still worried. I don't yet know the massiveness of the destruction. Later, in history class we watch the news. There isn't any news though. Nobody knows who, or why, or how. There is just an image of a small dark object flying into the tower and exploding. Over and over and over again. My eyes glued to this painful scene as it is infinitely repeated on the Tv screen. Then finally an update. The pentagon in Washington D.C. has been hit by another plane. Fear quickly fades and is replaced by terror. In a brief moment frantic thoughts burn in my mind. I think about my sister Meaghan at the Catholic University of America right in the heart of D.C. I try to remember the tour I took with her a year erlier. Where exactly was the pentagon, was it close to her school? But I can't remember. I wish that I had a map, but I don't. All I can do is hope and pray.
That night after returning home from school and watching the news for a few hours I went to a prayer service. The service had been spread by word of mouth. By seven O'clock the church was unusually filled with teenagers. Deep breath... this time I felt better. By now I had talked to my sister and knew she was safe. However, the thing that made me relax was seing all of my peers come together and help support eachother. It was a time when knowing that the person standing next to you was a friend, made you feel safe, even if one of the most horrific events in our history had taken place just hours earlier.