nmah402.xml

nmah402.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-08-23

My husband and I were driving to work. We were listening to Howard Stern and he mentioned the fact that an airplane had just hit one of the World Trade Center Towers. It sounded almost too absurd to be true. The image that flashed in my head was of a tiny plane hitting part of the building. Of course that was not the case...

I called my mother from our cellular telephone and asked that she turn on the television and find out what was really going on. She returned the call with what seemed like a description out of a really horrible action film.

We rushed to work and watched the collapse of the second tower on a tiny black-and-white television. It was shocking to see something like that through a tiny television. All of the employees did not want to imagine watching this through a color television or in person. Immediately,I called my friend in New York City who works a couple of blocks from the Site. Of course, I could not get through to him. Thankfully, as many others would,I was able to reach him through an e-mail.

This event reminded me of the Challenger incident. I watched the shuttle explosion from the playground outside of my elementary school. I will never forget the confusion, despair, hope, and the numbness that accompanies the realities...

I already had a fear of flying but now the fear begins with the thought of taking a trip! I have learned to appreciate the tiny stuff and be thankful for the time that is given to us to enjoy with our family and friends.

Some of my feelings towards our country's national and foreign policies are worse than prior to this Event. Trying to capitalize on this event for political or monetary profit is like hitting the Towers over and over.

EVERYTHING. Every side, every story, every reason. EVERYTHING.

No, I did not and do not fly an American flag. I am thankful for where I live but I do not feel that it is necessary to fly my feelings accross the front lawn.