September 11,2001

I remember my mom always talking about there being pivotal moments in her life where she will always remember where she was, what she was doing. She can tell me exactly where she was when Kennedy was shot, what she was doing when the challenger exploded. Up until September 11th,2001 I had never had an event like that. And to tell you the truth I was happy I hadn't, It seems it is the disasters or tragedies that stay with us more than than the miracles. I have never written about what I was doing on that day so I thought today was as good as any.

On September 11th,2001 I was a Sophomore in high school. It was a normal day, it was a Tuesday to be exact. I had just finished my French class and my AP Euro History class was right next store so I was usually the first person to get to class. I walked the few feet to my next class and saw that the tv was on...they must have watched a movie I thought, and I actually got excited thinking maybe we would too. I walk in and see on the tv BREAKING NEWS: WTC IN NYC and that is all I really read until I really listened and looked at what was on the screen in front of me. People running, the thick black smoke billowing out of the tower, at this point they still didn't know that it was a plane. I didn't even notice my class slowly starting to file in and we all looked like zombies in a trance. We couldn't look away, then it happened. The second plane hit and you could hear screams and gasps thought out the hall ways. Why did a plane hit the WTC, Who did it, what is going on. When the nation saw that second plane hit, it sent a shock wave felt even here in Ohio. I started crying, the news was showing people trying to get out, breaking windows for air. They knew no one would get to them, to think it was so bad in there that for some people the next best option was to jump. Now, if you know me I am not a religious person in the least, I will admit to anyone I am more spiritual, but on that day, when I saw those people all I could do was pray. When the bell rang it was a race to get to your next class. It was so surreal, from thinking something exploded in the wtc, to knowing it was a plane, the the second hit, to finding out we were under attack. I remember thinking we are the United States of America.. how is this possible. When the news of more hijacked planes hit, that is exactly what it felt like.... a hit to the deepest part of you. By this time it is almost my lunch. I stayed back in my class to watch and heard the Pentagon had been hit. The thought of OMG we are all going to die did cross my mind. I mean I know it is a touch dramatic but in this country were told we are invincible. And now our capital is being taken out. I thought it was only a matter of time before we see the white house up in flames. I called my mom from the pay phone at school. I told her I wanted to be home. In my mind if we were all going out I was going to be home, She told me I was in the safest place I could be right now and since I had excess to a tv if more hijacks were reported or terrorist acts taken out to leave school and walk to my Grandma's house. She would meet me there. She knew I was scared and that I needed am escape plan, her voice really calmed me down and helped me be able to carry on with my day. I went to a high school where even in my sophomore year we were almost 500-1000 kids over crowded, that day the halls were like a ghost town. Kids getting pulled out of class or getting similar instructions from their parents... just leave. After lunch the Mr. Rienhart, our principle made an announcement to the student body about what had happened, all after school activities were canceled, and I remember looking at the sky and seeing no airplane jet lines. You don't realize how much noise they make until they aren't there, it was eerie almost, it being to quiet. I think everyone watched the news for weeks following, looking for answers, looking for our next course of action. I have never prayed so hard in my life, laying in bed that night I couldn't get the images out of head.

I know now in 10-15 years when my kids are doing a history project and the subject of "where were you when 9/11 happened?" I will tell my kids, maybe even let them watch the documentaries that came out after, but I will always say what my mom said " Just count yourself lucky you don't have something like this yet."