story435.xml

story435.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-04-18

I was asleep and the phone rang. It was my sister who lives in Manhattan. Her voice was trembling and she said, "Cindy, I hate to wake you but a plane has flown into one of the World Trade Center Towers, it's awful and sad. You have to see this!" So I woke up, turned on the coffee and called her back from my living room. As we were talking and I was giving her information from different channels...the second plane hit...we were stunned...there was silence...and an OH MY GOD...and then I said to her..Linda this is not an accident. Our hearts broke...our lives changed and the city that I once lived in and that my Mom and sister live in was under attack. The rest of that morning was spent checking on them and watching the news and PRAYING!!! The city of New York rose out of this like a shining beacon. New York City is the greatest city. I live in Los Angeles and love it here...but I had nothing but pride for the City of New York and for our country. My oldest son (13) was devastated. He had to come home from school that morning because he couldn't stop crying for NYC and his family. The next day he started a fundraiser at his school and collected $524.00 for the firehouse in my Mom's neighborhood (9th street). This is a day none of us will ever forget or totally understand...but we are Americans and we are strong!!! God Bless the USA!!!!!