story7682.xml

story7682.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-16

My co-worker was an avid newsradio listener, so when she came out and said that a plane had flown into the World Trade Center, it seemed odd, but we didn't have too many details. Moments later, she came out and said that another plane had hit the other tower. I knew then that it had to be a terrorist attack, still not knowing that these planes were large airliners, full of innocent passengers. Someone rigged a television to receive at least the local Fox network, and I was able to watch the first tower fall. The reporter on the street seemed so eager to find a dead body - I just couldn't continue to watch. I, too, had a radio at my desk and listened all day and for several days after to the excellent coverage by National Public Radio of the events, the personal stories and what it all came to mean to our country. The company I worked for was foreign owned and had many internationals working there. My friend in the next cubicle was Turkish and it gave me great comfort that he shared the horror and sadness with me. He was there to assure me that these acts were not the work of Islam, but of hate, and hate knows no true religion. For the most part, I watched very little television coverage - I preferred the radio, as I didn't have to be faced with the incredibly disturbing images. I shared emails of photos and poems. I gave blood. I was grateful that I didn't know anyone who died in the tragedies, although I knew and cared about people personally affected by them. I watched the concerts associated with September 11 and cried as they showed the crowd. I cried over the radio stories. I cried over the images and emails. Tears well up even now as I'm writing this, as I think about all that's associated with that terrible day. I have a flag on my car, in the front window of my home, and red, white and blue jewelry to wear, not just for July 4, but for all the other days that we show pride in our country.

One of the most poignant things that sticks in my mind was not something that happened in the days immediately following the event, but months later. We see so many signs and bumper sticker saying "God bless the USA." On a chalkboard in a small Mexican restaurant, the American owners had written "God bless the world." Even in the midst of our own tragedy, let us not forget how much of the world grieved with us, how people of many nations were lost on September 11, and how many more than 3000 people are lost during even more senseless acts of violence throughout the world each year.

God bless us all, indeed. I know I am - with health, love, a healthy and happy family, the ability to reason and to contribute to this world.