story4592.xml

story4592.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

I had just returned from dropping off my youngest child when I heard the news on the radio. I went home and my husband greeted me at the door with the same news. Planes are crashing into the World Trade Center Buildings. I felt so ill. I remember my thoughts were going around in my head so quickly. Why kept popping up in my head. Why would someone do this? Why now? Why us? What did we do?

I sat in front of the Television holding hands with my husband crying in horror of the events that unfolded that morning. Then the announcer says we have a report that the Pentagon has been hit. Another says one crashed in Pennsylvania. What is going on? Is this the end? Are we safe? What do I do?

I told my husband I have to get the kids. He told me that they are safer where they are. All I can think is my babies are without their mother. I need to get my babies. They cannot be alone. What if something happens to us? We are so close to Dulles. What if a plane hits us? Our children will be left without parents. I have to go get my children Now!

I reached the High School around 10:30a.m. the halls are filled with crying children some are hugging others trying to be strong. I found it very hard to control my own feelings while trying to locate my daughter. My neighbors kids would ask me to take them with me but I could not. The school regulations forbid me to take them. I felt so overwhelmed,panicked,confused, scared. I reach the office and they give me my daughters room number and allow me to get her myself. I reach the room to find her and her friends crying. She saw me and hugged me and said why is this happening to us. Her friends had parents working at the Pentagon which is only 15 minutes from us. They are afraid they are dead or injured. I assured them that they would hear from their parents soon and hugged her as well.
We came out of the school to find the parking and surrounding areas of the school filled with other parents trying to find their children. Everyone crying and horrified it was total chaos.

We located the car and made our way to the Elementary school to get my youngest child. The Elementary School was very quite. Everyone was hush hush. They didn't want the children to know what was going on. They didn't want them upset. I requested them to call my son to the office for early dismissal. I was talking to another mother when someone from the office asked that we not speak of the disaster in the hallways. I got my son and went to the car where I proceeded to explain to him what was going on. All he could say was why are you taking me home.

Once we got back home, I felt somewhat comforted that my children were now with me. We all sat together arm in arm as we watched the aftermath unfold. The fires burn. The people running. The buildings falling. Over and Over and Over like the rerun of a bad movie.

My kids asked me why I brought them home. I explained that if something were to happen, that I wanted us to be together, so nobody would be alone asking why did this happen to them.

It is a year later and I am still asking why. How could a people who Love their God so much do something so devastating in his name? I don't think any God would condone such bahavior. Kind of makes you wonder if it isn't satan in disguise.

I hope and pray that one day the world in its entirety will finally find peace.