story4432.xml

story4432.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

I woke up that September morning and slipped out of bed where my dear husband and my beautiful 15 month old son still lay sleeping. So began my "usual" morning routine, or so I thought. I turned on the radio and expected to hear the usual programming. Instead, what I heard was the President of the United Stated giving a speech. At first I thought this was just a joke. What is the President doing on the radio this early? I just brushed it off and walked away. I woke my husband up so that he could begin to get ready for work. The President was still on the radio. I know I heard him say the word tragedy and I think I heard him say God Bless America. I was not paying much attention. Then the radio hosts came on and they were not their "usual" upbeat and humourous selves. Instead they were quite somber and talking about some terrible thing that has happened. My husband, oblivious as myself about what was happening, was by now in the shower. It was at this time I thought, "If the President was on and these guys are so glum, there must be something happening." So I decided to turn the TV on. I could not believe my eyes!! The tower was on fire. I ran and told my husband. He could not believe it either. I ran back to the TV and listened to the newscaster. Then the second plane hit. My stomach felt like it had just been kicked. I was floored!! It was an ATTACK!! I ran to my husband and told him what I was seeing on TV. He still could not believe it. I ran back to watch what was happeing on TV. When the first tower fell I gasped. Is this real??? How could it happen??? What about the people??!!! WHAT IS HAPPENING?!?!?! I ran to my husband and told him he had to see what just happened. He was in shock and disbelief and he sat and watched. New York was filled with smoke. It looked like a war zone. Our son woke up in the "usual" happy mood and ran to give us hugs and kisses. We continued to watch this awful thing on TV. Shortly there after the 2nd tower fell. My husband looked at me and asked, "What just happened? What did I just see?" I sadly said, "It's gone......" My husband sat in shock. His face looked grim, sad and angry. I held our son so tight and cried. I thought to myself, "What about all the families who just lost loved ones? They just lost their mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, aunts, uncles etc etc..." I just cried. This was no "usual" day. I wondered, will our days ever be "usual" again?.