story7473.xml

story7473.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-15

I was teaching my Third Grade class when a colleague came into my room, took me aside and told me our country was under attack. I began to cry as we hugged each other.At that point we knew very little except that two planes had crashed into the World Trade Center, another into the Pentagon, and a fourth somewhere in PA. I was told that the flights were originally headed from Boston to LA. My son and his fiance were living in Redondo Beach,CA at the time which is about 15 minutes from LAX. My husband and I had flown to CA to visit them that previous summer, taking the same route as those planes. It sent a chill through me. Would my son be safe? I got coverage for my classroom and went to the office to try to get some information. Since the building was undergoing renovations, we did not have acess to a television. The only outside source of information was a small radio on the secretary's desk. I couldn't find out much more than I already knew. I went into the ladies' room and cried. I Had to compose myself and get back to class. It was necessary for all of us to act like nothing was happening for the sake of the children. We agreed to not say anything and let them find out when they returned to their homes. That was the hardest day of teaching I have ever spent. I felt as if my students were never going to be the innocent little children that they were in my classroom that day ever again. It was heartbreaking. As luck would have it, it was my turn for recess duty that afternoon. I recall what a beautiful blue sky was overhead. A little first grader was chasing a butterfly. He looked so happy and content in the bright Autumn sunshine. I kept thinking that in a few hours he would go home where his parents would share the horrible news with him He would never be that innocent or carefree again. All the while, I kept scanning the sky for planes as the paranoia which has been my constant companion ever since began to take root in my soul.That was the longest day of my life. I couldn't wait to get home and call my loved ones, just to hear their voices and be reassured that they were safe. Thank God they were. I crawled into bed at 4:30 that afternoon and just stayed therewatching the news coverage and feeling so frightened,angry,and sad. I haven't flown since although both of my son's have. I count the minutes until they land, checking the news to make sure there have been no crashes. My son will be getting married in Las Vegas on November 9 so I will have to fly then. I am so nervous about it that it's really put a damper on what should be a happy, proud time in my life. I hope and pray that these feelings will pass in time, but don't see how they can. We are changed forever. Mary Griffith