Given that it's the tenth anniversary of 9-11, I am joining the rest of the media in memorializing the events. I wanted to go back to the day it occurred and discuss my experience. Tomorrow, I will go into some experiences of those close to us, people that I did not know until years after the fact.
I was driving to school the morning of September 11, it was time for one of my classes in the business school of my university, and I knew I wanted to get there on time. While driving, I was listening to the radio, and I did hear them say something about a plane hitting one of the World Trade Center towers, but I mistakenly assumed that it was a little commuter plane that somehow went off course and ran into the building. Something minor. It wasn't until later when I was hearing more people talk before classes that I began to realize that something major was happening. There were "rumors" of a bombing at the Pentagon, and students were mentioning other terrible stories. As you may remember, September 11 was a mass of confusion in the media for quite awhile until they were able to piece together exactly what happened that day. It was unknown in the early hours exactly what had happened and why.
Having no idea of what else to do, I continued going about my day. I attended all of my classes with a greater sense of looming dread. Classes completed, I drove to my internship and proceeded to put in a day's (afternoon's) work. The story of the attacks was starting to meld a little more and everyone was getting a better idea of the true nature of the event. I was told that many of the employees at the company were sitting around tv's in the building but since I was new, and an intern, I just decided to stay at my desk to finish my work. A sweet broker came in to see if I was okay and to find out how I was feeling. Having not seen an image yet, I was fairly okay, just a little confused and shaken. I do not remember now if they decided to go ahead and send me home early or if I just arrived home after finishing my day. What I do remember is that after getting home, I was able to turn on a television and watch with my family. I lived at home during college to save money, and I think I was pretty grateful for it during this time. I also remember greatly missing my friends (and boyfriend...no, not my husband) and wishing that they were there to join me, as well. Finally being able to see the images was soul shaking. It is one thing to live with an idea of what might be happening in your head, but to see exactly what occurred is something that no one could have imagined. I sat in front of the television with tears streaming down my face.
That night, my parish hosted a prayer service and all I remember is standing there tightly holding my sister ( who is 4 1/2 years younger than me) and crying my eyes out. Finally, a cathartic cry to let go of every last bit of stress and fear from the day. I remember that it made me take everything into consideration and reanalyze my life's direction. Ultimately, it led to the demise of my relationship with that boyfriend. It led to my deepening faith. I needed God so that I could know all was right with the world. It led to my eventual decision to spend my days home with my future children. In the grand scheme of things, it became more important to me to do what was right and to place a higher value on the people that were in my life. For that matter, the terrorist attacks really helped to mold me into a better person. I was twenty-one and that day made me grow up more quickly than I otherwise might have. It also brought me to today, and I am never more grateful for my dear husband and children. They are my light and they are my life.
My heart and prayers are with the citizens of New York and Washington D.C. today and this weekend, especially in light of the new terrorist intelligence. I pray for peace and protection from Our Lord.
May Christ keep everyone safe.
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