September 11 Digital Archive

story8654.xml

Title

story8654.xml

Source

born-digital

Media Type

story

Created by Author

yes

Described by Author

no

Date Entered

2002-11-18

911DA Story: Story

I was waiting for my co-worker to begin opening our coffeeshop. I didn't have the key and was impatient for her arrival. I looked at the clock and saw that it was 8:45 AM. Little did I know that that particular minute was the last minute before every single American's life was changed forever.
The story was slowly pieced together by customers coming in for their morning coffee. At first I thought it was an isolated incident; a small plane accidently crashed into one of the towers. Only after I learned of a plane hitting the Pentagon did I feel that queasiness in my stomach, and the thought hit me that America was under attack. My thoughts and prayers immediatly went to those who had been killed or injured, and to their families who may not have even known yet.
I remember trying to call my mother at the school where she works. My mother and I have a strenuous relationship and as I considered how many people may have just lost a mother or father, my conscience led me to speak to her. This is the most important thing we can learn from the 9-11 tragedy. Love those around you and do not take them for granted. The old cliche holds true that you just never know when your last day is.

Citation

“story8654.xml,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed December 11, 2025, https://911digitalarchive.org/items/show/4359.