story3438.xml

story3438.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

I was at home that day, online checking email, when I came across a story about a small plane crashing into the WTC. I didn't think much of it; I figured the pilot must have had plane trouble or taken ill and was unable to land. I turned on the TV and a few minutes later I learned of the second plane and then it hit me...this was no accident. I stared at the TV set, shaking and crying. Then I got a call from my dad in Chicago where he works that he was coming home early and he needed me to pick him up.
I was horrified. Since I was a child I always wanted to fly in a plane as much as I could. For years as a child I wanted to be a flight attendant and my favorite airline that I wanted to work for so badly was United. Now I wonder. I am going out on a limb here, but what if I had pursued my dream job? Where would I be right now? Perhaps I was lucky that my destiny changed and I found another career interest.
After reality hit me about what happened to something very close to me (i.e. career in flying, planes, etc.)and the death of so many people, the anguish overwhelmed me so much that I cried for days. I immediately called my church office to see if we could have a prayer session that evening. We did and I cried there too. On September 11 I had an appointment that I missed and because of the anguish I totally forgot about it and didn't finally realize until two weeks later that I'd missed it.
I fortunately did not lose someone directly on that dreadful day, but the sorrow was and still is overwhelming. I cannot begin to imagine the pain the families of victims are suffering. God Bless them all!