story125.xml

story125.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-03-04

I had just gotten to work and begun to settle into my morning when a co-worker told me that a plane had crashed into the WTC. I was shocked, but the impact had not fully hit me yet. A few minutes later, I heard about the 2nd plane. Every person on my floor crowded into a small office and sat glued to a tiny television set for the next four hours. I just kept thinking, "The WTC is gone! NYC is changed forever, everything is changed forever." I felt nauseas at the thought of all the people on those planes. I spent the morning trying to contact my family, especially my father and tell him not to go to work. Rumors were spreading like wildfire and I was afraid. I felt as if at any moment my own building was going to be hit. I tried to contact my boyfriend who works near the FAA tower in Leesburg, which I had heard was destroyed. I just wanted to be sure everyone I knew was safe. I was numb, it didn't feel real. I went home early in the afternoon and met up with friends and we talked about it all night long.

The next day it all hit me. I was watching TV and the mother of one of the victims of the plane that crashed in PA was talking about her son, and how proud she was of him and how lucky she was to be able to share that with the whole country. Her strength touched me so much, I started crying and crying and did not stop for hours. I pulled myself together and drove to class. Listening on the radio to everybody's thoughts, seeing people on the road... knowing that we all had felt the impact of this horrible tragedy. I felt a bond with these strangers like I never thought possible. For days I cried... and I was very afraid. I remember thinking just how fragile our lives are, and that the safe bubble in which we live can be penetrated at any moment. I learned many life lessons, in a one very harsh way: Cherish what you have. Be grateful for the little things. Always show you care.

I'll never be the same, and I'm sure nobody will. I am so lucky to be where I am in life: I'm able to get a education, I experience true love every day, I have a supportive family, and loyal friends, a roof over my head and food in my belly. Life is good.