story7850.xml

story7850.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-18

At the time I Lived in Orlando Florida. It was a week before 09/11 and I was debating weather to go see my brother in NJ. He was very ill and had a leg amputated. I was never afraid to fly and I don't think that was the case. I had a feeling something terrible was going to happen. I knew I had to go see my brother but I did not know how I was going to do it. I was very scared and I mentioned it to my husband Frank who assured me nothing was going to happen to me. On Sunday September 9th., late that night I purchased my plane ticket through Spirit Ailines to leave Monday morning. I always sit on the side of the plane where you can see the city, It is a beautiful sight coming in. I remember searching for my camera and not finding it in my bag as I flew past the World Trade Center. I could not believe the beauty of it all. A tear rolled down my face. You see I had not flown into New york in Years we always drove so I had not seen the City from the air in years.
The Next morning September 11 awoke by my husband around 7:05am ( he was on night shift Working in Orlando). Got out of bed and proceeded to get ready to go see my brother in NJ I was staying with my sister in Brooklyn. My sister josie could not move fast enough that moring she was very slow. We were suppose to be in NJ around 9:30 that morning to pick up my grandaughter Kia at the path train in Union Square leaving from the World Trade Center. It was aroung 8:30 and Josie still was not ready. I put the Television and watched it for a little while when the news came on to annouce a plane had hit the world trade center. I mentioned to Josie that we could not take the path train from the WTC since there was fire and a plane had hit one of the towers we would need to go to 34th st. when a second plane struck the 2nd tower. At that moment I knew it was a terroist attack on the USA. I called my husband who was already in bed and I woke him to inform him of the tragedy he was in disbliefe. I must have called everyone I knew in orlando. I panicked. I knew I was not going home anytime soon. I tried car rentals, Amtrack and Grey Hound everything was booked. I could not get out of the city I had loved so much all these years. For the next hour or so we stood on a foot bidge off of Liuquer Ave in Broolyn watching the Twin Towers burn and fall to the ground. I cried like I had lost a perosnal friend. I grew up in the Alfred Smith Projects and saw the WTC go up and I saw them come down. I did get to see my brother the following day we took the train on 34th. St. His bedroom window faced the WTC and he watched all. I could not get out ot the city until Saturday September 15th. Spirit Airlines had a flight leaving that morning. I had never seen Laguardia Airport so empty. I have to say I have never been so ashame of myself in my life. There was a family of what looked to be of the middle east and it scared me to death. I had window seat 9 on the right side of the plane and all I could think of was "dear lord please do not let me sit next to them" and sure enough the husband and his son were seated in the two seats next to mine. I asked the flight attendent if I could switch seats and he said it would be ok, there was plenty of empty seats. The husband ask me if there was a problem and I lied and told him no I am afraid to sit in the front of the plane. As soon as I was able to I switched seats. After I had to ask god for forgivness. I was never so ashamed of my self. My life has changed since that terrible day in September. I appriciate my family now more then ever. I have moved to NY so I can be closer to my Family. Alot has happened to my and my family since Septembe 11th. In October husbands grandfather passed away then the following monday his brother also passed away. My brother passed away the following January of an infection. I still morn the saddeness that has affected this whole nation. May God bless us all.