story8966.xml

story8966.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-01-16

It was a crystal clear evening, Monday September 10, 2001. Minneapolis Minnesota was in transition from Summer to Autumn and schools were in session at full energy in the area. The Twins captured the hearts of MN fans, the Vikings were struggling, and the other teams had not yet gotten underway in their seasons. MN was very much in a state of calm and the usual rhetoric that we see on the news each night, locally and nationally. We all know what the world was like. I remember what it was like, and I will not forget.

I had just accepted a new job at a Catholic book shipping company in Saint Paul, Minnesota for part time work, and to make some money while I was in school every morning studying drafting, architecture, and Computer aided Design. I am originally from Woodbridge, Virginia, just 20 minutes from Washington. Though I was away in MN, Washington was near and dear to my heart, as was Virginia. Monday September tenth was a day of energy and crisp weather. After school, I hurried over to the shop to start my new job, where I packed boxes to be shipped out to customers nationally. SChool was going well, and I was excited for myself. I had great roommates and great times with friends in MN. How sudden I would need their ears and shoulders for weeks and months ahead. At the shop, I was able to leave early and head home to the household where we were to eat Dinner. I lived with John, Robert, Dave, Chirstopher, and Rex. I do not remember dinner that night, because I was more focused on the job I had, and the exam I was to take the next morning at school. So I studied all night long. Staying up until 2 in the morning and crawling into bed I thought of how tired I would be in the morning as we gathered to start the day with prayer.

Tuesday September 11th, 2001 started like the past day, with breakfast and prayer. 6:30 downstairs to pray and get off on a good note. 7:00 I was to leave for school and get there by 8:00 for class. There was traffic and lots of it. Preparing for the exam, I had on some music as I let my self wander into a state of being naive about everything. It was a common occurence of mine to listen to the morning shows and especially 97.1 . I journeyed across the Mississippi River and into Minneapolis and then to Brooklyn Park. traffic eased, and I coasted through Brooklyn Park until...

"we apologize for this announcement and sudden occurence, one of the TWIN TOWERS was hit by a twin engine airplane and smoke is rising from it slowly." the song played on... Superman by Five for Fighting at 7:50 a.m. thinking nothing of it, as a usual report with some curiousness, I scuttled to school for ten more minutes. Upon reaching school I went up to class and found a note. CLASS CANCELLED. Knowing that, I went to the car and fell asleep in it waiting for the next to start.

AN hour of horror had passed when I awoke to the door slamming of a fellow student. It was 9:00. As I entered the school and saw empty chairs I went to find where the students were. The normally bustling break room was silent as words echoed from Peter Jennings as he relayed the news. I made my way in and saw a federal building on fire and it did not occur that the events were conected. Suddenly, I asked what was happening and it all came together, the report I heard was innaccurate and not right. Commercial airliners were hijacked and reeled into the towers and then one into my mothers office. The pentagon was billowing smoke left and right as federal workers were scrambling to safety. I wanted to cry, I wanted to yell. Instinctively, my hand reach for the phone and I was able to call my dad and calmy ask what was happening. Meanwhile som jerks in the room were laughing at it all quietly and I felt my heart sink. Thir mother did not work there I could have stuck my hand down his throat and yanked his heart out!!

My father was there at his office in Arlington VA. he could see it from his office. three miles away. He told me that he was going to go find mom. I said for him to call me back at school, work, or home when he found her. I knew it would be a long day.

Teachers started to see what I was experiencing and asked if I wanted anything. All I said was, I want my MOM to be alrite and go home from there safe. Everyone froze as I said that. Meanwhile, I was calm but angry inside. I had the nerve to go start a computer up and try to work. IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN. NOT FOR 2 more days.

I paced and paced the halls. Talked to people with patience and calm. as I saw the towers fall, I knew thie world would change. I knew my life was different now. I knew there was a hidden horror among the nations and it was revealed in a cowardly barbaric fashion that calls for JUSTICE!

at 11:30 I drove to work, because I needed something to base my day on that was good. I needed to work, and be productive. i wanted to watch the news, but wanted to keep my eyes fresh for other things. I had seen what had happened, and it was UGLY. I arrived late to work a bit and there was no problem with that. The owner was there working and I asked her to pray with me as I told her my story. She wanted me to go home... but I had to work and keep hope. it was quiet there that day. Not much happened.

Then at 4:00 I went home and was curious about Mom. I tried the lines, but they were dead. I was worrying with hope and fear that my family was harmed. I managed to get fresh air all day as I needed to. at 5:30, dinner was made and we all were as statues, somber, reserved, and collected as we ate. John the house leader did not want the phone on, I objected. I was waiting for a call. At 6:30 p.m. the phone rang and all was silent.

I took the call outside and it was my dad, and mom was home with alex.

I was relieved but yet concerned. I was still in horrific shock! they let me eat, and we hung up. I told them I would call back after dinner and the prayer vigil at St. Thomas. We put the news on that night and watched with curiosity. HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN? WHY? WHATS next? WHEN? WHO?

At 7:00 we went to Saint Thomas University. we gathered with others there to attend a prayer service. My friends were all consoling as I was very vigilant with explaining to them what happenend with a stance on personal tragedy and concern.

That night, besides the glow of headlights in line for gas, and food, I wondered if it will all ever be the way it was before the atttacks. I think my answer is obvious. NO. For three days I did not do any schoolwork, I did nothing. I listened to the radio. i watched TV, I tried to Pray. I called home alot. I was numb from the horror, and willing to pause my life as time started over again.

My mother went back to work a week later, and she remembers it well. I wouldhave loved to be there for her. And I was a few weeks later on October 4th 2001 I went home to see my parents. It was a trip I will never forget. I saw the hole in the wall, and the effort to rebuild, and the strength of the area. DC was more beautiful than ever. I was home. I recieved hope and care from lots... none more powerful than Mom and DaD.

Itis my hope you read my story, and pray for my family. Thank you.

I Will never forget that terrible day when time restarted as we awoke from sleep to awareness of a DIFFERENT WORLD, but same as always.