I was asleep. I worked swing shift the night before. I slept through the entire event. I awoke around 12:30, went outside for a cigarette and noticed the birds were so loud. I went inside and sat in my favorite chair and turned on the TV. The first image I saw was a burning building then an airplane crash into the second tower. I recognized it instantly as the World Trade Center. I remember thinking this movie has really bad special effects. Then my blood ran cold. I turned up the volume and listened to the reporters. I quickly changed channels, flipping through them one by one. All showing the same images. Then I saw it. An hours old image of the first tower collapse. Then the next. Raw video of horrific scenes of human suffering. I cried. I called my parents and checked on my two small children. My mom couldnt talk. My dad sounded like I have never heard him before. Shaken. Scared. I called Jo. She was mostly silent from what I remember. I could hear her coworkers in the background and the TV they were watching in their break room. What sticks with me most about that tragedy happened two day later. My daughter was turning 3. She wanted her party at Papas Pizza. Her grandpa, she called Papa and who doesnt love pizza. Perfect. As we drove there, we passed the Hillsboro airport. No planes in the sky. Jo and I remarked about that. We were listening to a radio station that normally plays music but the DJs were talking about the events of few days prior. They were somber and emotional. Mya played with her baby brother in the backseat. Max happily cooing in the backseat while his big sister made sure he was entertained. We had sheltered Mya from the news as much as possible but as we were driving, a small voiced piped up. Why is everyone sad? Is it because those planes crashed into those buildings and caught on fire and all those people died? It was a shock to hear her surmise the events that day so succinctly. This is the same small child that had an imaginary twin named Sonic and asked what are full moons full of. I was gobsmacked. Jo, the same person that bailed me out of the full moon question by answering rocks again bailed me out with yes, but you and your brother and mom and dad are safe. Ive asked Mya if she remembers 9-11 and she says she doesnt. Im grateful for that. I can never forget that day and the grief and pain it still causes people today. Im happy she doesnt remember. I wish I was so lucky.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 14:17:12 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015