story9884.xml

story9884.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-09-11

On the morning of September 11, 2001, I was sound asleep. I was tired from working the night before and college classes. The phone rang about 9 am. It was my niece, who lives nearby. She told me about the planes crashing into the World Trade Center. I couldn't believe it. I turned the television on and that is where I sat for days. I kept calling my sister and husband (whom were both at work), trying to keep them updated on the situation. All I could do was cry. I felt completely helpless and awful. They had cancelled classes that day and the next, which was a relief and I didn't have to work till the weekend. I remember sitting there thinking to myself, how awful, who did this? Why did they do this? and What does it mean? Well I came to realize it meant war. Then I suddenly became more aware that my other sister (from Texas) was in the army and I knew what it meant for her. I tried calling her most of the day but it just kept saying "All circuits are busy now, please try again later". Finally about 630 pm that night she called me, crying, as was I. She knew as well what it meant for her. She left this past March for Landstuhl Germany. She is a nurse in the army and is taking care of our wounded soldiers. Unfortunately she won't be home till March 2004. MY brithday is September 14th, needless to say that birthday in 2001 was one I will never forget. Even though I am not near NYC or didn't know anyone that lost their lives, I am now medicated from the fear of what happened and my life has changed completely..............Rebecca