story5999.xml

story5999.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-12

I had been placed on bedrest the last weeks of my pregnancy and was asleep when the phone range shortly after 6:00 PST. My cousin, Michelle, was calling to tell me to turn on the TV, that the Towers had just been hit. I laughed at her and told her to quit teasing, that I wasn't going to fall for her joke. She told me she wasn't joking, and in the tone she used, I knew she was serious. So, I turned on the TV and didn't stop watching the footage for the next week. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't do anything but stare in disbelief at the news as I watched the footage of the planes hitting the towers over and over and over again. Then when I was watching, the first tower fell and a few minutes later, the second tower fell. I remember the tears springing to my eyes as I realized that all those people died as they were trying to escape. I imagined how I would have felt as I tried to run down the stairs, feeling panicked as people went slow in front of me. I would have wanted to push people out of the way, so I could get to safety. I can imagine people all felt the same way, but acted so differently. I am constantly inspired by the stories I hear of strangers helping others and hope that if I were in the face of danger and fear as they were, I would have the courage to be as noble and brave as they who gave their lives for others.
My son wasn't born until October 10, 2001, and I think he was so overdue because maybe I couldn't give birth to him until I was more composed. Jokingly I tell people that he could hear the news footage in utero, and he was scared to be born into a world so evil and wicked. He is the light of my life, bringing me joy daily as he learns to walk and say a few words. I know that he has been my gift from God to help my heart heal and restore my hope in humanity.
God bless America and all those who gave their lives to help their brother survive to go home to their families, for they really were the perfect example of our Savior's perfect love for us all.