story7448.xml

story7448.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-15

My only daughter and I were together in the car headed back home after running an errand to plan my husband's birthday celebration when the radio newscaster said "A plane just hit the world tower in New York City". We listened attentatively but I just figured there had been a terrible accident. As the news on the car radio continued, we abandoned our plan to get items for the surprise party. It was his birthday. We quickly drive home to see what was happening on the television. When we arrived home, my husband was still asleep. He had taken off from work and planned to sleep most of the day away. His plan was ruined. I woke him up and told him about what we had been hearing on the car radio. When we turned on the television, the second tower had been struck. I began to pray. I remember thinking, "we are under attack and the only one who could help us was GOD". It was obvious that the incidents were not accidents by this time. We hovered over the news, glued to our television set taking in all this devastation. One report after another announced the death of many INNOCENT Americans. My heart ached for the victims and their families. Being a retired Police Officer, I imagined what it would be like trying to help that many people to safety. When reports said that firemen and police officer went into the buildings to assist people with getting out, My heart sank. I knew in that moment that many of them would never come out. I cried as I watched the buildings collapse. Anger filled every fiber of my being. I thought about my two grandchildren at school and told my daughter we had to go and pick them up. For some reason, I was in New Orleans and didn't feel safe. We drove to the children's schools and picked them up. They were only three and eight. We were unable to explain how such a Horrifying thing could happen. They were confused and asked repeatedly if they were going to die. This made me more angry. The eldest child wanted to go home and not come out. We told them that it was Pa Pa's birthday and we would celebrate enlight of it all. Instead of running home, we went to the store to purchase a cake and ice cream. Everyone was talking about the horror Americians were watching unfold. After making our purchases, we returned home and prepared the worst celebration I had ever arranged. We couldn't stay focused. We shed many tears. For the next several days, we tried to get back to normal. I couldn't eat or sleep. I didn't want to turn the television off because I felt it was the only source of information which could alert us if our city was attacked too. I will never forget how afraid we were. We would like to tell the families that were affected that GOD lives and he will see them through. Although we knew none of the victims personally, we feel their pain. The pain continues until this day. We will never forget, we will not go away to hide and we will continue to thrive as a nation. The sacrificial blood shed on September 11, 2001 created a resurgence of true LOVE for America and it's Citizens. All of them.... Valinicia Washington and Family.