I remember my mother's frantic screams when she heard the first radio reports in her car. I remember her yelling into the house for us to put on the television. I remember sitting on the couch and watching as the towers fell. I remember the memories of visiting the Twin Towers when I was in 7th Grade all came flooding back. I remember a surreal feeling, like I was floating, or falling down an elevator shaft. I remember having that feeling for the next few days.
I remember my sister Kate, pregnant with my niece Emma, frantically calling my brother-in-law Peter out on a job landscaping, making sure he was alright, and making sure to let him know that the world as we knew it was coming to an end. I remember my niece Kaleigh, all of 2 and a half years old, staring at us with a mix of concern and curiosity at what was on the television that was causing all of our fear and angst. I remember not feeling tired though my heart ached for the thousands of people in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania affected directly by the attacks.
I remember wanting to close my eyes as if it might make it all disappear, but then I remember fearing that I'd reopen them and another plane might be hurtling through the sky toward a populated area. I remember staring outside at the beautiful late summer day in front of me and contrasting it with the scene of utter horror on the television. I remember feeling detached and attached to the situation at the same time.
I remember not feeling hunger but I still felt the need to venture out to make certain that my world close by was still standing. I remember driving around town where everything in my little corner of the world looked the same yet I knew everything was different. I remember feeling so small, but then feeling so much pride and love for the firefighters and police that were walking into the battle zone when everyone else was running away. I remember sitting frozen still on the couch for fourteen hours watching, hoping in vain that there would be a disclaimer on the screen that said it was all a hoax, like War of the Worlds on the radio.
I remember the next morning at work at The Marshside. I remember standing on the deck with Maui who I had known for 8 years at that point. I remember still having that feeling of falling as we spoke. I remember the deep blue sky untouched by the gentle exhaust of aircraft. I also remember the silence, the overwhelming deafening silence that surrounded those days. I remember the names coming out over the next few days. I remember the photos, the interviews, the magazines, the newspapers; I still have them so I will always remember. I remember each anniversary of the day that changed our world.
Please take a moment, even if you knew nobody involved, or have never even been to New York, to remember what happened on 9/11. We are all part of one family, the human family, always remember that. Peace and love.
