story9189.xml

story9189.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-04-16

I had been renting my house in Washington since moving to Texas. When I arrived August 31st after a 23 hour drive, the place was in shambles with a wall of trash in the driveway. After twelve 15-hour days, we were starting to see the light. I very rarely give thought to the weather, or introspection. I distinctly remember thinking how odd it was, because it was dead calm, beautiful blue sky, and peaceful. I though, "I cant believe what an beautiful day it is". It was Sept, 11. About 7:30. I sat with my morning coffee on my front steps and for a brief moment, I wasnt so sad about my situation. I have rarely felt that way in my life, stuggling to get ahead. I just dont reflect that way. How ironic that it all began as I sat there thinking of the beauty of the day.

I was painting in the basement with the radio on, when my neighbor came over. We watched the people jump. I called my father, and we cried together on the phone for the peoples lives.

My neighborhood was filled with Army people, and the wives were frantic. Then people started arriving home to my neighborhood from the pentagon, about 8 miles away. The sheer shock is what struck me, and our incomprehension of such incaring. We cant understand it. As they closed the highways to traffic, noone could get home, so Army personnel started walking home! What a sight, people streaming down the freeway in high heels, officers, enlisted men, office workers. Everyone just wanted to be with their family. So did I