Today, as you probably know, is the twenty-five year anniversary of 9/11. Like most of you, I remember exactly where I was when I first learned about what was happening. Sitting on my bed with the yellow floral comforter, watching the Today show. The news before the planes struck was pretty dull and I almost turned the TV off, when I heard Katie Couric give the first indication something bad had happened.
Minutes later, when the second plane struck, I picked up the phone and called my brother, who, with his family, lives in Manhattan and had a view of the twin towers out of the bedroom windows. I asked him if he was watching the news, and he said no. I told him to look out the window and turn on the news. At that point I heard my sister-in-law cry out–she saw what was happening. Knowing they were okay, I hung up and continued watching the news. I had an appointment that day to get my nails done, but I canceled it.
In the aftermath, weeks after the planes struck, I remember my sister-in-law saying it smelled like death outside. The smell just clung to you.
The nation pulled together after that. Yes, there was controversy, and it continues. But we had been attacked. Today, we are severely divided, but we come together to remember a day we can’t forget, a day that we pray will never be repeated. We remember the brave men and women of Flight 93 who fought back. We remember those who caught an earlier flight to get home to their loved ones,, and in doing so, lost their lives. We remember…we remember.
My World With Words 