story6740.xml

story6740.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-12

My name is Lisa Sandoval. I lived in New York for 6 years and then moved back home to Colorado. In my time in New York, I became a New Yorker. On Sept. 11, 2001 I was already at work when my husband called me and said that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. I responded with, I am not surprised and hung up. At that time I did not realize that what he was talking about was a commercial jet liner. My apartment had faced that Twin Towers and for years I watched small planes and helicopters fly very close. I had assumed it was one of them. After I left the nursing facility where I was at to head the my next facility, I got in my truck and turned on the radio. I was in total shock at what I heard. Another plane hit the second Tower. Oh my God. Then the tears began to flow. The fear of my friends fates was overwhelming. I called my husband and begged him to call my best friend in New York to see if she and her family were okay after repeated attempts on my cell phone were unsuccessful. I only worked 2 more hours after that. I went home and like the rest of America I was glued to my t.v.. I watched the scenes unfold with total disbelief. At first I had fear and tears, then became angry. I finally heard from my best friend 2 days later. All circuits had been busy. Everyone was okay. Her husband who is in the NYPD, had the day off that day. His district was near the Towers. It was not his time.
One year later, it seems harder to deal with. Maybe it was the added time to reflect. Maybe it was knowing more of the details. The death totals, the heros, seeing the faces of ones that were lost, knowing that some friends of mine were saved by being late or sick that day, or maybe it was the sad truth that 2 of my friends did die that day. Sept. 11th will always be a day to remember and reflect for the rest of my life