story20391.xml

story20391.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2006-09-10

I had just taken my four year old daughter and two year old son to daycare and was on my way to work when it came over WBNQ that the first plane had gone into the first tower. I listened intently to the words that Susan was saying. Then she said that another plane just hit tower two and that this was indeed a terrorist attack. I heard what she was saying but I couldnt understand it. I could not believe that this nation was under attack!! I went immediately home and checked my machine. My husband was in St. Louis, Mo. getting ready to go over the road. My dad was already on the road and was in New York so I wanted to see if he had called. I called my husband and he didnt answer the phone. I called my dad and he didnt answer the phone. Now all that I could do was wait. My job called and said that they had cancelled the banquet and that there was no need to come in until we knew what was happening. My best friend called me about 930 and asked me if I was watching the news. i told her no but I was aware of what was going on. She said turn it on and sit down. I turned it on just in time to see the replay of what had transpired not even 20 minutes ago. My heart sank. I started crying and my best friend asked if I had spoken to my dad. i said no word from him yet. Last I knew he was on his way to New York but I wasnt sure where he was going. Turns out he was only about a block away from the towers when the first plane hit. He said it was a blast he will never forget. He said when he looked up and saw that the building was on fire he got scared. He said the next thing he knew another plane was going into the other building. I remember watching on my couch as they replayed the events of the morning. I remember just sitting there with the phone in my hand, not talking, just feeling not so alone with my best friend on the other end. I remember my husband calling me to ask if I knew what was happening and if I was ok and where the kids were. I told him I had taken them to daycare but that I wanted to go get them and just hold them close. He told me to go get them. So I did. I dont think I have ever been so grateful for two children as I was the moment I went into their daycare and picked them up. It was like I knew in an instant our whole lives could spin out of control and everything could be lost. I remember being scared thinking what else were these people going to do to our nation, asking what had we done to them to make them do such a terrible thing. I remember turning the TV off so my kids wouldnt be scared and not focused on the days events. I remember seeing people jumping from the buildings only to find out later they werent jumping. They were running through smoke and ran right through the glass. WBNQ was taking calls that afternoon about how people were feeling. I remember I got through and I got choked up with tears, Susan stated that I sounded like I was upset. I told her I was that all I could think about was all those children who would be waiting for their mommies and daddies at daycare to pick them up to only learn that they wouldnt be picking them up that day. And about all those parents that dropped their children off at school or daycare and went to work that day in those buildings not knowing that that would be last time they kissed their babies. Everytime the anniversary rolls around I thank god for my life and my childrens. I just hope that everyone remembers that their life can be changed in a blink of an eye and that you should hold your children as often as possible because you never know if that will be last time!