09/11/01
It was a beautiful September day. It was cool enough to tell that Fall was near but warm enough to still feel the last few hints of summer. The sun was so bright and shiny, with a big blue sky and those white puffy clouds you drew in first grade pictures. School had started the week before and everyone in public or private school was still getting adjusted to the back-to-school routine, new schedules, teachers, and classmates.
It was a Tuesday. I'll never forget it. I was in high school. Just like any other morning, I woke up, brushed my teeth, washed my face and fixed up my bed. I turned on the small box tv in my room and put on the news to see what the weather would be like that day. I went through my bureau searching for the perfect outfit out of the many choices I had, thanks to back-to-school shopping. My dad, an NYPD officer, let me know, I wouldn't be taking the bus today and we'd be getting breakfast before my first class. One thing I wasn't, as a teenager, was a morning person. I hated everything about having to get up soooo early for class. I didn't drink coffee then, so I had no energy to eat or talk. I just wanted to go back to bed, you know, typical teenage behavior. So I got in the car and the day begun.
We went to a local diner by my high school. I don't remember what I ordered, probably pancakes that I didn't eat. I wasn't into breakfast and couldn't really eat a big breakfast before school. I don't remember our conversation either, I just know that I probably contributed little to it [the conversation] due to my very teenage ways. Regardless, I always appreciated when my dad thought of me for breakfast. Even though my teenage-self didn't want to admit it or show it, it was great to spend time with my dad. After breakfast, he dropped me off in front of school, I gave him a kiss and went on with the day. Everything was normal, at least that was what we all thought.
First period was fine, when I went into my second period history class things changed fast. All of a sudden, a teacher came into the classroom to inform our teacher of something. It wasn't typical teacher gossip or new handouts. It was serious and we could all tell. Their expressions were serious and they spoke for a while. Finally, my teacher made the scariest announcement I have ever heard in my life..."the twin towers have fallen." You have to understand that at this time there was no social media (I know, hard to imagine), beepers had just begun to die out and people were getting into the use of cell phones. I had a cell phone, luckily, but not everyone did like they do now, so the news spread much slower than it does now. By the time we got the news, it was late and we knew very little about what was going on.
My teacher then went on to try to fix the TV so that we could see the news. He also mentioned that we were now living history. The TV wasn't working and he tried to use a metal hanger to get some sort of reception. We were all confused, some students were worried because they had family members who worked there. We didn't know what to do. There was an announcement on the loud speaker that briefly told us what happened and that the school was placed on lock down, no one was allowed to leave unless escorted by an adult or parent. We had so many questions, many of which adults had no answers to. Our teacher urged us to stay put until someone came to pick us up and let us know that it was possible that NY would be under martial law. It was so scary. Students were cutting class and leaving anyway. The next period, I tried calling my dad on my cell phone but no calls were going through. So I waited. Finally, my mother came to pick me up.
Heading home midday is typically fine in NYC. Very light traffic unless there is some kind of car accident or construction. On this day it was pure madness. The traffic was unbelievable. It was even worse than rush hour on a holiday weekend. Everyone was nervous, everyone was confused. You could literally feel the weight of it in the air. As we drove home, all you heard over the radio were updates about the attacks, and how there were other areas also affected. The gov't was urging all first responders to head to the scene including retired FDNY, police officers, paramedics, etc and as we drove on the highway all you saw were undercover police cars, ambulances, etc driving on the shoulder to get by, all heading the same way.
On the car ride home, my sister let us know that she had spoke to our father on the phone and he said he was heading to the scene and he would see us later. This was so scary. At home, our neighbors were outside talking about the events, asking questions, and in general trying to figure out what happened. Our next door neighbor, had just moved into the WTC towers the week before for work and we were all worried for her return.
I don't know what I did that day, but I know I was waiting for my father. The news was relaying the incidents and discussing what was happening. People literally walked across the bridges all the way home from Manhattan taking them more than 2-3 hours. Subways and buses were down in that area and shuttles were delayed picking the enormous mass of people trying to get home. The aftermath was horrible. Every channel covered the attacks. But what stood out to me the most was the weather. Such a beautiful sunny day and yet the Manhattan skyline was under the darkest cloud of smoke I had ever seen. The smoke lasted for days, weeks, possibly months. Buildings were covered in papers, soot, and wreckage. The horror stories were endless, everyone knew someone who was there, or worse. People came from miles away to help with the relief effort, and to this day body parts of people are still unidentified. One thing stood true that day, every American was a New Yorker. Amidst the horror was a unity among Americans especially New Yorkers.
Even the days, weeks, and months following the events were hard. I know every New Yorker was worried about another possible attack. Every New Yorker was worried for a family member or friend who had to travel anywhere in the city. No one would have ever thought or dreamed that something like this could actually happen here and that made anything possible. It drew us closer to family members and friends but also caused a lot of anxiety. I remember feeling sad every morning going to school thinking about what could "possibly" happen and feeling scared and worried for the people I knew. Others that day were not so lucky. They had to face the fact that their mother, father, uncle, aunt, cousin, sister, brother, was not coming home and never would. Sadly, life had to go on.
I know you are wondering about my father. Well I am blessed to say I was one of the lucky ones. My father arrived home extremely late that night. He didn't really want to talk about what he saw or experienced and I somehow could understand that. I was just so glad that he made it home. I prayed everyday for the families that lost loved ones. And although I did not experience their pain I sympathized with them knowing that I might have waited for my dad all night without him showing up.
To this day, 9/11 brings me tremendous sadness. Listening to the names of all the innocent lives that were lost due to an event of pure hate and evil enrages me. I don't consider the date an anniversary because to me, you celebrate an anniversary. I will never celebrate this day. To me, it is a a day of memorial. A day to stop, reflect and think of all those lives lost. It is a day that changed us forever. A day that changed NYC and America forever.
Freedom Tower, NYC
All pictures posted were taken by @Miss_NYCity
Seeing the Freedom Tower and memorial site all these years later, shows strength, perseverance, determination, and hope. We never want to move on and leave loved ones behind, and the "what-ifs" will be ever present, lingering in the back of our minds. However, we have had no choice but to move on. We have come along way. I don't ever think that anyone can do anything to fill the emptiness of losing loved ones. That is irreplaceable. However, we are a stronger, wiser New York!
I'm in my late 20s now and this day still is heavy for me. I did experience history and was old enough to understand it. It absolutely changed my life forever.
I've learned to not take life for granted, to live in the moment, and appreciate the special people in my life.
That being said, I'm now a morning person and I love breakfast.
**In Memory of all those lost on 9/11 including the passengers, pilots, flight attendants on hijacked flights, EMT/paramedics, fire fighters, police officers, and civilians here in NYC and in Washington. Also to the many military men and women who lost their lives to fight in the war. May you rest in peace forever and always.**
Always thankful to the paramedics, EMT, fire fighters, police officers, doctors, nurses, and other volunteers who helped in the aftermath working countless hours to clean up NYC and help those who were hurt. Your selflessness and heroism is and always will be appreciated.
Never Forget 09/11/01.
With Love,
Miss_NYCity
