nmah4305.xml

nmah4305.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

It was like witnessing the events through an out of body experience, which is how I remember the events.

I was at my office in Michigan when my brother in Atlanta called me from his cell phone. He'd heard something on the radio about a plane crashing into the WTC and wanted me to get online to see if it was true. Indeed it was. I hung up the phone and ran down to the conference room, spreading the word throughout the office to turn on the television just in time to see the second plane hit. We knew this was not a coincidence, we were being attacked.

It was eerie, watching all the planes hit and hearing the conflicting news stories about possible other targets. But the most odd feeling came when the towers collapsed. I felt like I was witnessing the events from out of my body. I heard myself gasp, others in the room yell out in anger, I heard the sobs, felt the tears, and all of this was from somewhere else. I guess I felt that it was safer being somewhere else, that if I was witnessing from afar it wasn't the true devastation. Throughout the day we continued to watch the events unfold, and prayed for survivors.

That was a difficult time for each of us. I was in the midst of planning my wedding, and I'll have to admit my first thought was that my best friend, an Air Force Captain, would not be at my wedding. I know it was selfish, but the desire was even stronger to have my friends and family surround me at this time of uncertainty.

In the weeks that followed we stayed glued to our radios at work for any good news. My boss brought in his own television, so our office was the news center everyone sought out.

It was really hard to face the reality, but it was a little easier knowing that I wasn't suffering truly, and that there were many others out there that had lost much more than I ever had. My freedoms may have been threatened, but I had the love of my family and friends. I had a home, food and clothing, so I was truly blessed.

It was like witnessing the events through an out of body experience, which is how I remember the events.

I was at my office in Michigan when my brother in Atlanta called me from his cell phone. He'd heard something on the radio about a plane crashing into the WTC and wanted me to get online to see if it was true. Indeed it was. I hung up the phone and ran down to the conference room, spreading the word throughout the office to turn on the television just in time to see the second plane hit. We knew this was not a coincidence, we were being attacked.

It was eerie, watching all the planes hit and hearing the conflicting news stories about possible other targets. But the most odd feeling came when the towers collapsed. I felt like I was witnessing the events from out of my body. I heard myself gasp, others in the room yell out in anger, I heard the sobs, felt the tears, and all of this was from somewhere else. I guess I felt that it was safer being somewhere else, that if I was witnessing from afar it wasn't the true devastation. Throughout the day we continued to watch the events unfold, and prayed for survivors.

That was a difficult time for each of us. I was in the midst of planning my wedding, and I'll have to admit my first thought was that my best friend, an Air Force Captain, would not be at my wedding. I know it was selfish, but the desire was even stronger to have my friends and family surround me at this time of uncertainty.

In the weeks that followed we stayed glued to our radios at work for any good news. My boss brought in his own television, so our office was the news center everyone sought out.

It was really hard to face the reality, but it was a little easier knowing that I wasn't suffering truly, and that there were many others out there that had lost much more than I ever had. My freedoms may have been threatened, but I had the love of my family and friends. I had a home, food and clothing, so I was truly blessed. Being newly married, as of November 17, 2001 you would have thought we should enjoy our first year of marriage more than any other should. Yet this year has been more of a test than anything has and our live have been effected greatly by September 11.

Both of us were laid off, mine coming two days after the honeymoon, we've had difficulty selling his condo, and difficulty finding new employment. At this time, one year later my husband is still out of work.

But we have each other, and are blessed with a wonderful family, and we WILL get through this.

I think that the courage, heroism and strength gained from September 11th. The spirit of those who were killed, and the renewed belief in our country and God are the things that September 11 should forever stand for.

I have been a patriotic individual and flown a flag from the moment of owning my own home. My belief in the flag have not changed nor will they ever. We live in a great country and the American spirit will forever grow from the strength we gained after September 11, 2001.