story10736.xml

story10736.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2004-08-07

I was thirteen at the time. We had begun school, and about 2nd period was in session. The one thing that me and my classmates distinctly remember, was that the lights went out. Briefly, but its still a small memory. As we entered 3rd period things began to get scary: the principle and staff made announcements over the PA system saying "If any of your parents or relatives are in the New York Area, please call them to tell them transportation getting home will be very difficult and that the subway is not in use." and thats all they would say. In the halls, rumors of people going home early and in tears began. During lunch, i asked my tutor what was happening. She explained that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. Thinking that it was just a small (1 passanger type)plane, i pretty much shrugged and said "Oh, ok." I think that the whole school was then informed of the situation in NY and were offering students to make house calls. I go to call my dad to see if my relative was ok and found myself choked in tears as everyone was listening in. But she was ok.

But when we were let out, and was about to get off the bus, i see through the window all the parents from the block standing at the hill to meet us. I was scared and nervous and didn't know what to think of this. We get home and they show me to the TV....and so, i was exposed to the horrible events. Reka, one of my dad's co-workers, was there. Dad said she didn't have any place to go till her husband came.

I remember how i couldn't cry for the longest time. Even when i was alone. And finally when i could, my tears felt like they were burning.

My tutor(who's also a close friend)stopped by that evening (i think we got out early now that i think about it) to see how we were. We were sitting on our couch in front of the tv when my brother Andrew comes in and tells us that our new neighbor was in the 2nd plane that struck the WTC. I ran out of the room crying. We stopped by their house that night as the old residence of the house were going to meet them too. They had just come from Temple services...one of the older brothers had lost his best friend. They were very emotional, especially the father. Anyways, we go to the new neighbors house and are told that the wife (who had just lost her husband that morning)was still in shock and it sunk in that she'd just lost her husband quite yet. We were to be careful of what we said. I remember her VERY pale face; emotionless it seemed and not mentally aware. It was kind of an awkward situation. When the grown-ups said something, it was short. I was afraid to say anything. I'll always remember her face. And also how her children were playing outside, laughing and prancing; oblivious to what was happening. He was the father of one toddler, an infant, and a baby. I didn't know them personally, but i spotted his name in the newspaper among the flight victims.

It scares me sooo much...the reality of how close to home it hit. I mean, they lived just 3 houses down the street from ours! It could have been anyone of us. It could have been my dad who takes many buisness trips. They decided to move not long afterwards.

I cried that night when my father came up to check on me. We cried together. "Its not fair" i said. That night i wrote a poem about 9/11 and had it published in several newspapers.

What's kind of freaky is my next door neighbor had her Bat-Mitzvah 3 days prior 9/11 and her theme was City Rhythm, and as a gift, she gave us pillows with the Twin Towers up front and the surrounding buildings in the background. Its hard to believe that three days from then, those gorgouse towers would no longer be standing.

I send my love and prayers to those whom have lost someone to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. God Bless you all!

http://www.sonicmemorial.org/sonic/public/index.html