I started this out as a Facebook post, but I figured I'd do it more justice here. Since eveyone is posting their 9/11 story, I figured I'd join in.
Being a New Yorker definitely adds a different perspective of the horrific events our country experienced on September 11, 2001. The imagery on television wasn't just of any city, it was in my own backyard. To an eleven year old, it was surreal to see the neighborhood of his favorite candy shop that he frequented with his dad, it was the neighborhood where his uncle worked, it was the only part of Manhattan that he knew how to navigate, being only in the sixth grade. In fact, it was the building his family was planning on visiting that weekend as a field trip.
Like everyone else, I can't forget where I was when it happened. I was in my bedroom about to commence with my schoolwork for the day when my mom came running upstairs with the cordless phone in her hand. I'll never forget her words, "Guys! Come downstairs to the television, your father just called me and-- well, go see the TV for what happened! Something like this has never happened before!" She resumed her conversation on the phone as she rushed into the family room while talking about planes not flying.
When I got downstairs, it took me a little while to ascertain what was going on. There was a reporter in Astoria, Queens (near LaGuardia Airport) talking about how all plans were grounded. She seemed frantic and confused. When she was finished talking, the TV cut to footage of an airplane striking the towers. I honestly thought it was a movie scene or something-- that truly couldn't be happening here in New York! Sure enough, the news kept pouring in about a second tower being struck, a hijacked plane falling near Pittsburg, and the Pentagon being struck. The news kept coming in so fast that the journalists had trouble deciphering truth from rumors. I remember when the plane went down in Pennsylvania, it was initially dismissed as a rumor until we found out that it was more than likely bound for the White House.
Back to my own 9/11 experience, I remember watching the TV and seeing a man running from the smoke that looked my neighbor who works on Wall Street. My mom was sort of alarmed, and we called his wife. After not getting a response, we went across the street to see how she was doing. Luckily, the man I saw wasn't my neighbor, as he telephoned to say he was alright. A few neighbors began to join us outside while my sisters and I shuttled in and out the house with more updates to share with the adults on what was going on.
Another source of worry for us was that my uncle worked around the corner from the World Trade Center and we didn't know where he was. It turns out he left for work later that day, and his bus turned around upon getting the news. When he got off, he called my grandma on a pay phone to assure us he was safe in Queens. Needless to say, grandma pressured him into getting a cell phone in the coming years.
My dad was able to leave work early, especially in wake of security worries and rumors that roads into and out of Long Island may be closed for emergency responders en route to Manhattan. He joined us in watching the news as we were all glued to the television. Of course, not even a national tragedy was a reason for my mom to cancel school. I still had to complete my algebra homework whilst taking in the news.
On the local front, I remember all the crossings in and out of New York being closed for days. Mayor Guliani declared, "nobody's coming, and nobody's leaving." Of course, there were the persistent rumors that the buildings around the World Trade Center suffered structural damage from the impacts and were in danger of collapsing. In the days after, it wasn't uncommon to see cars in train station parking lots that had been sitting there for days-- clearly belonging to those who were in the WTC. Church attendance skyrocketed during this time. The church I was attending at the time had doubled in attendance, we added seating in the lobby and still couldn't accommodate everyone. My understanding is my former church went from two Sunday services to three. Of course, this tapered off about a year afterwards.
I mentioned church attendance because it does day a lot about our country. No matter how secular we become, no matter how much we challenge religion, no matter how much we question God, we still come back to Him when times get hard. I saw so many politicians and public figures pray, many of whom had not done so publicly before. I do believe that America does have an underlying faith in God, even if they don't care to admit it at times.
I had the opportunity of going to the new 9/11 memorial last month. It made me think of how far we've come since. While many are still feeling the wounds of losing loved ones, I pray that time will heal them.
Lastly, we must live each day as if its our last. Many parents kissed their children goodbye as they began their second week of school with plans of discussing their day with them over dinner. I remember seeing on the news one girl who was devastated because she had an argument with her dad the night before, and had not spoken to him that morning. People, life is way too short to hold grudges.
My prayers go out to those who are still grieving, and those suffering health repercussions as a result of their unselfish work in rebuilding. God bless America!
