story11727.xml

story11727.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2005-08-16

I had just graduated from culinary school on aug 21st, and was refered by a teacher to Pastry Chef Heather Ho,at windows on the world. I worked there for 5 days, and on sept 11 was supposed to be in at 2pm for evening service. She gave me an opportunity when i had no experience professionally. She along with many of my new co-workers were killed. My whole family and al friends thought i was there, my cousin was the only one who could get through....from a cell phone in spain, woke my sister up saw what happened and ran to my room. I sat bolt upright when she slammed my door open, she said thank God you are home, by the time i was at the bottom of the stairs the second plane hit. i remember every second from that point on so clearly, trying to get in touch and let them(anyone,everyone)that i was ok,if they were ok. after the pentagon was hit, i got a cab went to my sisters high school to get her. they werent letting students go, i went a little nuts and demanded to see her....once they knew who i was related to i had such a jolt to reality,the principal as well as many people in the main office hugged me and were so happy i was alive(my sister hearing the news on the loudspeaker was in the counselors office along with dozens of other children and teachers believing their loved ones gone) one woman told me that i gave her hope that her husband was alright. they brought my sister out to me and, i dont know she was broken and then back together. I never wanted to let go,but we needed to get home(the cab driver waited outside her high school for 45 mins. i only had 10 dollars and he knew that.....he didnt take the money)once i got home within a few mins my mom got there,she worked in the local junior high as a school aid. after calming down she asked me if she could go back to the school.....there were .....so many chldren who had possibly lost parents. This is why I Love my mother so dearly, i offered to go too,but she said stay and try to get in contact with others. my father walked home from midtown manhattan where he worked. my boyfriend of 4 years worked in long island and came to my house at 11:30 that night because my sister Gaby threatened him if he didn't(he left me shortly after 9/11) with my family with me i couldnt sleep for 2 days,i felt could have should have been there, why did i get the night shift why was i ok? sometimes i still feel that. so on the 3 day i decided to volunteer,started to leave m hose when they announced on tv grand central was being evacuated. i stayed home,scared. then i realized that helping others was the only way i could repay the fact that i was still here. Got in touch with those working for windows' at Beacon restaurant, went there....cooked for 1 day and spent the next month and a half answering phones....for families waiting for any news. we had none.....i talked to people for very long periods of time,passing the phone to other volunteers when we couldnt talk anymore. I was with volunteers with the biggest hearts. each night i wandered around the city to vigils passing missing posters. New York City was sad, but beautiful too. the vibe of this town was complete brotherhood. we banded together cried together, sat in parks mourning crying on the shoulders of strangers. in november, i recieved a call from the chef i worked with that 1 day at the begining of my volunteer service, he offered me a job at his restaurant. i tok it and worked there for 3 and a half years. I dont know what to say how to say it,Heather Ho will always be in my heart. Please God give her a kiss for me.