story11044.xml

story11044.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2004-09-13

My classmates and I had just finished changing out of our gym uniforms, when we noticed that everyone was coming back only to sit in the bleachers of the gym after returning from the locker room. Nobody knew what was going on, so we all just sat around, not paying any attention as to what was really happening. Feeling like an eternity, I'm not sure how much time had really passed, an announcement was finally made over the PA system. They were telling us that a bomb of some sort went off in the pentagon. I was waiting for someone to pinch me, to wake me to get ready for school, but when nothing happened, I began to worry about my mother. With only the knowledge that she worked in the pentagon, I had no idea which end of the building she worked at, let alone where "the bomb" had gone off.
The bell ending the period finally went off, and we were off to our next period. It wasn't until I saw all of my friends wandering the halls with tears filling their eyes, that the reality really hit. Immediately, I was realeased to the guidance office as soon as I entered my classroom. As I was roaming the halls with a friend, we passed by a classroom with the t.v. on showing two extremely tall buildings in New York City. The first plane had already hit, and I saw the second one, in replay, hitting the next building. References then began being made to the pentagon, when I learned that no bomb had gone off in my mom's building. I quickly made my way to the counselors, where it comforted me to see that I wasn't in this alone, although I wish nobody had to ever go through this at all. Phone lines were down, so all attempts failed in trying to reach anybody's parents, friends, or relatives. The end of the school day neared, and my best friend's mom showed up at the school to take me back to her house. I had been informed that my parents were both okay, since my dad also worked downtown, and they would come get me as soon as possible.
My parents finally showed up at the front door of the town house, my mother in tears, both relieved to see me. I hurried into the car so we could go pick up my sister from her elementary school. She had no idea what had happened to the extent that I did at the time, in which I am thankful so she wasn't frightened so much at such a young age. She was just as happy to see them as I was when we finally reached her school, and we were off again, only to my house this time.
That night, our t.v. was flooded with live broadcast and footage of the day in recap, all too much for me to handle. Our phones had been ringing off the hook from friends and relatives to make sure my parents were okay. I felt so helpless sitting there watching my mom cry all night. I was only in eighth grade, what could I possibly say to make her feel any better?
September 11, 2003 was a day that will never be forgotten by anybody, but a day of which I hope never repeats itself again. I realize today how fortunate I am to still have both of my parents with me, since many children aren't so lucky. I look up to the men and women who lost their lives while trying to save others. It is said that "everything happens for a reason", though I found it hard to see why this certain event took place. No matter what the reason is, I can tell you one thing for sure. America is stronger than ever, and I don't know about everyone else, but my faith is stronger than ever, and nothing, or anybody can come in between that.