I remember September 11, 2001, like it was yesterday. The sky was clear, the air crisp, and the promise of a typical Tuesday filled the morning. Little did I know that by the end of that morning the world would be forever changed, and my perspective on life would be altered in profound ways.
On September 11, 2001, 19 terrorists associated with al-Qaeda hijacked four planes. The first two, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, were flown into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, causing their collapse. The third plane, American Airlines Flight 77, crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. The fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers bravely fought back against the hijackers. The death toll was approximately 2,977 people, with specific times corresponding to each plane’s impact:
- American Airlines Flight 11: 8:46 a.m.
- United Airlines Flight 175: 9:03 a.m.
- American Airlines Flight 77: 9:37 a.m.
- United Airlines Flight 93: 10:03 a.m.
Their intent was to cause mass American casualties by crashing the planes into prominent U.S. buildings.
At 8:46 am, the first plane crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in Manhattan. Seventeen minutes later at 9:03 am, the second plane crashed into the South Tower. A third plane crashed into the side of the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and a fourth plane bound for a federal building in Washington D.C. crashed in a field in Pennsylvania when heroic airplane passengers revolted against the hijackers.
Within two hours from impact, both 110-story World Trade Center towers (the Twin Towers) crumbled to the ground. In total, over 3,000 people were killed and 25,000 injured as part of these attacks including many first responders who had arrived on-site.
Witnessing the Unthinkable
As I sat in front of the television, my heart sank as I watched the horrific events unfold on the national morning news show. The Twin Towers, symbols of strength and prosperity, were engulfed in flames one after another struck I sat in disbelief and witnessed them eventually crumble to the ground. Seeing people jumping out of windows, seeing the tragedy of 2 huge buildings come down within hours was shocking. To know hateful people would do this was shocking, terrifying and it made me angry. The fear and disbelief I felt were overwhelming, as I struggled to comprehend the magnitude of what was happening. Especially as we seen tower two hit after tower one. My daughter was at work and my granddaughter at day care just up the road. After talking to my daughter a couple times , I went and picked up granddaughter from daycare and brought her to our home.
I seen a low flying plane in our area of Ohio and I believe it was the one that went down in Shanksville Pa.
After picking up my granddaughter from daycare up the road, I was determined to have her day as normal as possible. Even though she was used to being at daycare Will today she was spending the day with her gaga, and I refused once she was here at our place with us to put the News back on it was very hard not to wanna watch it, but I didn’t want her seeing things like that. There was no reason for a small toddler to have to witness things like that, nor hear the chaos in the worrying other adults mine So we played on the floor we did finger painting. We watched all kind of cool things. We sat on the floor and played with pots and pans and made all kind of funny noises we baked cookies. You see while my daughter was working to take care of her and my granddaughter I was not working so I wanted to make sure and my daughter was in agreement that she’d be close to us till my daughter got off work so my job until my daughter got home from work, was to make sure she was protected and safe .
Protecting Innocence
I wanted my granddaughter to feel a sense of normalcy because everyone had their tv on at the time, and I was acutely aware of the need to shield her from the distressing images on the screen. It was a challenging task, considering that every channel seemed to broadcast the same heartbreaking scenes. I made the conscious decision not to have it playing in the background while she was present. She was too young to understand the gravity of the situation, and I wanted to preserve her innocence.
Finding Comfort in Routine
In those uncertain hours, after bringing my granddaughter home from daycare, we sought refuge in the familiar. We played with her little playskool farm, we baked cookies and watched Barney, And we also watched VeggieTales a cute Bible-based kids program. It was a way to provide some balance and normalcy amid the chaos and uncertainty. It was a reminder that even in the darkest times, there’s comfort in routine and the embrace of loved ones.
My husband, Tom, a.k.a. buddy that’s what our granddaughter calls him was out of town working in Missouri and he made sure he kept in contact with us and I was scared for him also because he was working with his company that was it a large factory and who knew what these people were going to be taking targets on next.
I won’t post pictures of the towers being struck because I think that just triggers post traumatic stress for many people that day whether you were watching it on television or you had a loved one that passed away or if you lived it yourself and survived I refuse to post the negative pictures that are etched in our minds .
Reflecting on the Balance
Looking back on that day, I’ve often contemplated the delicate balance between remembering and moving forward. It’s essential never to forget the lives lost and the sacrifices made by first responders. However, I also believe that we should be cautious about the constant media exposure that can retraumatize those who lived through that day and, most importantly, the families of the victims.
The Power of Commemoration
On each anniversary of 9/11, I light a candle and say a prayer, not just for the victims but for our nation’s resilience and unity. It’s a moment of reflection, a way to honor the past, and an acknowledgment of the pain it brought. This simple act is my way of striking that balance between remembrance and the hope of a better future.
Conclusion: Embracing the Future with Hope
In conclusion, my experience on September 11, 2001, taught me the importance of protecting innocence, finding solace in routine, and striking the delicate balance between remembering and moving forward. It’s through acts of remembrance and a commitment to building a brighter future that we can truly honor the memory of that fateful day. As we reflect on the past, may we also embrace the future with hope, knowing that even in the face of tragedy, humanity has the resilience to shine its light on the darkest of days.
Joyful-Echoes 