story9922.xml

story9922.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-09-11

The day of September 11th, I woke up like normal on time for school. (I was a senior, c/o 2002) I climbed out of bed, all groggy, & turned on the daily news, which I watch while I eat breakfast. What I saw was THE MOST HORRIFYING picture I have EVER SEEN in my entire life. Tremendously large, overblown fireballs embraced the sky as they progressed in destroying an entire building. I wanted to sit & watch, amazed by this sight I'd never seen, but I had to hurry up & get ready for school or I'd be late. So I did just that. When I arrived at zero period @ 7:30, everyone was talkin about it. I was still unsure as to what happened, so I questioned a few people. The news that they gave me, still filled w/ uncertainty but what they believed to be was going on, filled my heart w/ terror, pain, sorrow, & other emotions I hadn't felt to the extent that I felt them that day. I felt helpless. As the day progressed on, each classroom kept their tv's on, filling each of our personal curiosities w/ more & more information, & even more worry. You see, I live in Baytown, which is near Houston. Though some of you may not know it, Exxon is here in Baytown, only a BLOCK from my house. Exxon is one of the nation's (if not THE nation's) largest chemical power plants, & Houston is one of the major chemical & industrial power plant cities of America. Everyone was so worried about the possibility of an attack on Exxon, since many of the pipes underground connect one power plant to another. The possiblity of any attack on our Houston area cities wavered over us & made us all sick w/ anxious grief & an unwanted amount of worry that would take its toll on me throughout the course of the day. I ended up going home that day; I couldn't possibly get through the day & complete my studies successfully!! Also, my brother is a Staff Sargeant in the United States Air Force. As you may know, that fateful day in September caused many military locations to raise their "danger level" to "High Alert," or (on the color scale) "red." My brother, as well as the other military men & women of this country, are all heroes in my eyes. I thank God daily for them & for what they do for us. To this day, September 11th is still very much apart of me. If anything, I thank God EVERY DAY now for what I have - life. Many a year don't get to have ANY touch of life, & those on September 11th who perished gave their lives up like heroes. Our September 11th angels will NEVER be forgotten ... they will always remain in our hearts, & walk w/ the Lord in the sun til the day we can one day meet w/ them again... *RIP* September 11th Angels.