Thursday, September 11, 2008

Where were you?

So where were you on THE September 11th that made the date "September 11th" so infamous? I remember very clearly where I was. Like probably just about everyone else in the country, the day started out as completely normal. I remember getting ready for work sitting at my dresser doing my hair and listening to local news radio while The Husband was getting ready in the bathroom. I heard a report that an airplane had hit The World Trade Center and thought what a terrible mistake that must have been. I went and told The Husband and he too thought it odd but that was pretty much all the thought we gave it at that point. 

The Husband drove me to work that morning, I was probably running late as usual and on the very short ride there, we heard that a second plane had hit the WTC. I was working at the Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia History at the time and when I got into work. I told the security guard about the second plane. He had heard about the first one but I don't think he even really believed me about the second. 

At that point, I guess I went about my business and prepared for my day, our Museum was closed for the day (we were always closed on Tuesdays) so I had no groups scheduled to teach. Later that morning, our executive director set up a TV in the conference room and we all convened to watch what was happening. As soon as the first tower fell our director decided we should all go home. It was so scary. I know I can't even begin to imagine how horrible it was for the poor people and the families who were directly involved but it was very scary not knowing what was going on in our country and living right in the midst of one of our country's most historic areas, not to mention actually living on "the oldest residential street." We had a scheduled board meeting for that night so we were all asked to break up the board members names and give them calls telling them the meeting would be cancelled. As soon as that was complete, we were allowed to leave. 

I walked home feeling kind of numb and honestly still kind of scared. On my way home I passed a local news channel who had a live feed of the events on monitors outside the TV studio. Hundreds of people were gathered around watching it, everyone in shock. I know that at some point on my walk home I talked to my Mom, sister and The Husband and of course, everyone was fine. The Husband came home early that day too and we just kind of hung out watching the news coverage as things got worse and worse and worse. 

I still think of all those poor people and their families often and wonder how and why these things happen. I know we'll probably never really understand that. 

Also, today is one year exactly since my Mom had her biopsy and she was never really OK again. It's not a good day to say the least. 

I'm feeling down about 9-11, my Mom and Iago and I know I still have Mushroom Festival pictures to post and I plan on doing that some day, really I do. Today however, The Son and I have decided to check out The Delaware Museum of Natural History. He's having withdraw symptoms now that he's moved to the country and doesn't get to visit museums and zoos as regularly as he used to. Poor kid. 

I hope you all have a good day today, I'm sure everyone out there will be remembering where you were when "9-11 happened." Keep all those families in your thoughts and prayers, I know I will. 

6 comments:

Erin Leigh said...

I remember the day for as you said for the 9-11 but also for your mom.

I was actually just about to the chiropractor when the first plane hit. I went in and we all talked about it. There was no wait so I went on with my appointment and headed right to my parents house where my mom was sitting in horror. My parents are both city kids and my father is a retired NY State Trooper so they have lots of friends in those buildings. I stayed there until Bob left work, early. My husband never leaves work early but it was a day where you needed to be with your loved ones...

Marie said...

I was at a dr appointment. When I went into the office one plane had hit the twin towers...by the time I left, all 4 planes had crashed. What a horrible day.

Darlene said...

I was at home glued to the TV. I was so stunned I couldn't even believe it! We will always remember......

morewineplease said...

I do hate this day.. I was in my office when it happened.

Cathy said...

I remember it so well - I was at school teaching a kindergarten music class. Later that morning all the parents started coming to pick their children up early. It was a really scary day. I remember calling you, Mommy and Daddy and Matt. When Matt got home from work we just hugged for the longest time. How scary and incredibly tragic for all of the people affected by that horrible day.
Thinking of Mommy a lot too today...it seems like so long ago that she was here and able to talk to us.

Hope you had a good day at the museum.

J~Mom said...

Thinking of you today Caren.