nmah52.xml

nmah52.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-07-03

I first heard the news when I called a friend that morning to say hello. She said, "did you hear about the attack?" I said, "I haven't had a chance to read the newspaper. What attack?" She said, "no it's happening now!" When I turned on the T.V. it was if I was watching an old movie. Time seemed to be thrown into confusion, splintering, just like the Twin Towers. I couldn't tell what was happening then or what was a re-play, and couldn't believe what I was seeing anyway. I felt shock, horror, grief and disbelief all it seemed at once. After the events, I never did feel hatred, just a deep sense of loss. Loss of feeling of America as a safe harbor, untouched directly by the tragedy of world events. Loss of so many Americans who gave their lives that day, just for being at their job or doing their job. But through it all, I felt a deep pride in the love we Americans showed eachother. So many large and especially small acts of kindness, sacrifice and civility; the help and the hope.

How has it changed me? I think I'm more patient when things don't go right during the day, or even when I have to wait in lines. I feel more understanding when others are having a difficult time; and most of all I think I'm more resolved to keep a sense of quiet calm inside me and to remember that if all those thousands of people got up, went to work, flew on the planes, and had to face what they had to face that day, with so much courage and strength, that I surely can go about my trivial day with more grace and humility. I owe them that. For the first time I think I've really seen the resiliency of the human spirt and the meaning of real love.

The strength of Americans and their love for eachother.

Yes I'm more openly patriotic.