story4038.xml

story4038.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

My husband is a truck driver with a major carrier and we had to deliver a load about 1 1/2 blocks from the WTC. When we heard the "blast" from the plane going into the building, I panicked because my brother worked. I didn't know at the time that he was on vacation, so was unharmed. I, however, was distraught and wanting to go over to the WTC to try finding him, but there was so much chaos and the streets were blocked off. My husband pointed to the buildings and said, "There's another plane and it's going into the building!! My God, My God! What's happening?!" I burst into tears. I could hear all manner of terrifying noises, screams, sirens... I fell to my knees and began praying, asking God to keep my brother and his co-workers safe. In the year that has passed, I have felt relief at my brother's well-being coupled with intense grief for those who lost loved ones, for all the innocent lives that were lost. September 11 is also my husband's birthday and so the day was especially difficult for him. We weren't able to get out of there until after 8 pm. It is a day I will never forget. It haunts me many times, interrupts my sleep and is the subject of many prayers. I am proud that we as a nation have chosen to band together with love, hope and American pride. We are not entirely a selfish people as witnessed by those who given of their time, efforts and energies to assist, comfort and help those directly impacted by this frightening event. I am blessed with greater appreciation for the freedoms we have here in America. My prayers will always be with the victims and their families, friends and surviving co-workers. May God bless the country with even greater unity, hope and love.