Where Were You?

September 11, 2001

It’s a date that MOST of us will never forget.  One of those moments you remember forever.  You probably remember exactly where you were and what you were doing when you heard the news. 

I was at home in the basement apartment we lived in at the time, 8 months pregnant with K.  It was early in the morning, 7 something.  Yes, that’s early for me and I wasn’t used to being up that early. 

Anthony had already left for work and I was up because my dad needed a ride to the airport that morning.  He was meeting me at my house. 

Since he hadn’t arrived yet, I decided to turn the TV on until he got there.  As soon as it turned on, there was the image of the massive hole in the side of the first tower where the plane had hit.  I was confused.  What a crazy freak accident, I thought.  And how tragic. 

As I watched the live coverage, the newscasters didn’t make any mention of terrorists or hijackings or anything of the sort.  I believe they, too, thought it to be just a freak accident. 

And then it happened.  I watched as the second plane came into view on the TV screen and head right toward the second tower. 

I couldn’t believe it. 

My dad showed up around that time and we watched for just a few minutes more as the newscasters voice got more serious and panic stricken. 

What was happening?  I know it’s naïve and foolish of me to have thought that this was just a majorly coincidental incident.  Two planes, two towers!  It was a freak accident, nothing more. 

Then my dad made mention of terrorists.  Again, naïve and foolish… Terrorists?  What’s that?

I asked the words out loud.  My dad explained what it meant and I couldn’t believe it.  How had I gone a full 21 years of my life and not known that there were other countries out there that had it out for America?  Foolish, I know. 

It was time to leave for the airport and I was scared.  There were airplanes being hijacked and hitting massive buildings!  My dad was about to be ON a plane bound for a business trip.  And if I remember right, he was headed in that direction.  I asked him if he really wanted me to take him and jokingly said, “They probably won’t fly anyone else today.” 

My dad assured me that flights would still take place and he would be fine.  So, I drove him to the airport. 

The timing and placement of the other two planes {Pentagon and somewhere in Pennsylvania?} are kind of a blur.  I don’t remember how long after the Twin Towers were hit that those hijackings took place.  I remember hearing about them because I was glued to the TV/radio all of that day, I just don’t remember at what point. 

All I know is that I was nervous knowing that my dad would be flying.  However, no sooner had I walked back into my little apartment after dropping him off, than the phone rang.  It was my dad letting me know that he needed me to come back and get him.  They would NOT be flying.  The whole country was grounded. 

What a relief! 

I can’t even imagine how many more hijackings were planned for that day. 

Yesterday, as I was driving to Target for some essentials {toilet paper, paper towels, diapers, etc.}, on the radio they were playing tributes to all the 9/11 victims. 

I was a giant BOOB!  Seriously, I cried the whole way there.  I looked like an babbling idiot walking into Target. 

So many sad stories.  So many heroes!  So much to be grateful for. 

Although I have no direct ties to anyone directly involved in the 9/11 attacks, my heart aches at the thought of so many children losing parents and for anyone that lost ANY loved one that day. 

 

Where were you when you heard the news?