story179.xml

story179.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-03-07

It was a normal day, so to speak. I had completed all my morning classes that I reluctantly attended, written down homework that I hoped didn't block up my evening, then stopped at my locker before going to lunch. At this point, lunch was the highlight of my day. The whole day seem normal and okay, until recess. There was a rumor going around about a plane crashing into one of the World Trade Centers. My friends and I heard it from a few people, making the whole story more believable. People were scared and frightened, huddled in groups and talking in hushed whispers during recess. Many were crying and scared, going to teachers for help. Some people didn't even believe it, as if the rumor was changed and extended so much that the whole point was erased and written in a more dramatic way, and stretched the truth until nothing more could be added. I can remember asking to myself and others, "Why?"
Later, I had realized that I wasn't the only one who was doubtful, concerned and mostly confused. During recess, we guessed the answers to questions we didn't know. The biggest question was "Why?" I had no idea. Who would want to hurt the lives of innocent
Americans? I couldn't come up with any answers. No one could.
It wasn't until science class that we began to get answers. The teachers couldn't explain everything, all they could say was that it was serious. That day, we were to have had a science test, but because of the day's events, it was postponed. Eventually, we found out all the important details in a grade-wide announcement by Dr. Tait, our principal. She explained some vague details, but, like the teachers, she had no answers to our many questions.
When I got home, I received more information while watching the news. At last, the information finally sunk into my head. It was horrible. That night, some of our events were changed. My brother had been invited to his friend's birthday party at a Somerset Patriot's game. His birthday was on September 11. As soon as I had come home, the party had been cancelled because all baseball games were stopped, and his dad was stuck in New York. Luckily, no one was hurt. It made me think about how this day will survive in our minds, how it will force us to remember the horrible scenes. It even affects my birthday, which is in the beginning of September. But most important, I feel so happy that know one I know had been hurt. I mourn for all the people who were lost in the terrible tragedy. I've realized this is going to change my life. It already has.
Even to this day, I still remember what happened on September 11. All the things that used to be important to me are now not as important. There are a lot of people worse off than I am. Now I will be prepared for anything.