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911
Letters > BriteStar
 BriteStar
September 11, 2001 (now known as 911) started like any
other day. I had my normal doctor appointments set for the
day; including physical therapy. My first appointment the
doc asked me if I had heard about the plane crashing into
the WTC. I looked at the doc in shock not quite comprehending
their question. I remember quizzically asking, "Huh?"
The next appointment was physical therapy. The physical
therapy office was talking about it also. I still hadn't
seen a TV or listened to the radio. This is when I first
heard about the second plane crashing into the WTC. I was
in more shock & scared! I wanted to get home right away
& cancel my appointments, including the physical therapy
one. The PT encouraged me to stay & said they would
turn on the radio so I could hear it. As I went thru my
exercises, ultrasound, heat & massage, my mind was spinning.
I remember thinking this was all a dream & couldn't
possibly be real; did my kids (teenagers) know? Were they
scared? Were they safe? What could I do?
Unfortunately; it seemed the answer was NOTHING! I felt
so helpless & small; I know I can never imagine the
devastation people must have felt that were directly affected
by this tragedy; much less imagine what people went through
that were in the WTC when the planes crashed.
I am a computer consultant & knew I wouldn't be able
to give my customers the undivided attention they deserved;
& I did cancel the rest of my appointments.
I turned on the radio as I headed for home. Still nothing
seemed real. I heard that parents were taking their children
out of school for the day; & a current ID was required
by any person picking up a child.
I drove over to the school & went to the office requesting
to speak to my children to see if they were scared or wanted
to go home. I guess as a mom, I needed to see my kids were
OK. The school very nicely complied & my children stated
they wanted to stay. I decided I would stay & help out
the school as a volunteer in any way I could. I also knew
this way I would be close to my kids if things got worse.
The school put me to work immediately checking for ID's
at the entrance. I was more than glad to help out. As I
checked ID's there was a TV showing the news & videos
of what would later be called *911*.
This was when I saw it for the first time with my own eyes.
It was about noon. My head started spinning again. Innocent
people dying, burning, & jumping out of buildings was
more than my mind could comprehend. The vision of the people
jumping (maybe as a last resort or were they blown out?)
will forever be etched into my mind. I think this was when
I heard about the third plane. My mind couldn't take any
more; it was too hard to keep watching. I focused totally
on the various people coming thru the door; asking for ID.
At this time, to my knowledge there was no idea of who was
behind 911.
I remember a package delivery truck showing up & my
heart began to beat faster. I remember many cars pulling
up & parking right in front of the main doors &
coming in with no ID. When I explained they needed ID, some
became disgruntled; & I would send them to the main
office. Others were totally understanding & quickly
came back with ID.
I spoke with my children about it that evening. I allowed
them to choose to turn on the TV if they wanted. It was
a very quiet evening.
I know I am very lucky. I know I was spared a lot of emotional
turmoil because I don't personally know anyone that died
that fateful day almost a year ago today. I wasn't directly
affected; yet I was definitely affected. My heart goes out
to those that were needlessly killed in the WTC that day.
I am proud that as a country; we did NOT turn away from
this devastating tragedy & the people affected by it;
but instead it brought us together; closer; as a whole.
I am proud of the people & the technology that thwarted
the third plane from doing more emotional & physical
damage.
GOD BLESS OUR NATION AS WE STAND UNITED UNDER HIS POWER
& AUTHORITY THAT NO ONE CAN TAKE AWAY!
BriteStar
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