story8019.xml

story8019.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-20

I had just finished cleaning up the kitchen after getting my kids on the bus, and sat down for some coffee. When I turned on the television, I saw that a plane had crashed into the tower. I was shocked and upset. I watched for a few moments with my hand over my mouth in horror. I could not begin to understand how the people who were sitting at home seeing this on the television, all the while knowing that someone that they loved was in that tower.
I called my parents to let them know about it. I started off the conversation with a glib..."boy am I glad that I live in a small town with no tall buildings...." Not knowing yet that this was no accident.
As my mother turned on the television, we watched as the second plane plowed into the second tower. We knew that at this moment, our lives had taken yet another turn. Terrorism had struck us where we live. No, not in the town we were in, but in our Country and our Hearts.
I remember silently praying for angels to protect the people who were still alive. For God to send comfort to the ones that were lost or hurting.
Finding out that the Pentagon was also hit was the news that made me feel so vulnerable
The tower began to fall, and all my hopes went with it. All too soon, the second tower fell.I had to hang up the phone with my Mother and sit there glued to the television.
I asorbed the horror, terror, and panic from the faces of the people who were running for their lives. Tears were streaming down my face. For the people who have died, for their families, for the United States, but most of all for the children. They will never know what it was like to grow up in a world without terrorism at their door step. How to board a plane without fearing for their lives. How open our borders used to be. I pray that they will not grow to hate anyone different than themselves....just because they are not sure if they are terrorist or not.
I drove to my childrens school to pick them up for the day. The principal asked me why I was taking them home. After all, she didn't think we were a target. I could not believe that she asked me that. I needed to hug my kids, to feel them, to know that they were alive and safe with me. I wanted to be the one to comfort them and try my best to explain what was going on.
Yes, it is a day that I will never forget, but it will bring mixed feelings.....Sorrow at the lives that were lost, Pride in how our country responded, Guilt for how some people looked at neighbors that they have know, and now don't trust because of their religion. Of course I will fell Anger....I am angry that people feel the need to kill others in the name of their "God"