After September 11

Watching the news that morning was unreal. Others were having water-cooler conversation about the Giants’ loss the previous night on Monday Night Football. I did not understand what was going on. There were numerous threats concerning Anthrax sent through the mail and speculation of bio-terrorism.

By striking in New York - America’s largest city and economic capital, the terrorist had hoped to instill fear into the hearts of the American people. The receptionist was crying when she told me it was. He did not understand when I told him that the Twin Towers had collapsed, as it was just so unbelievable. Hopefully in the future I will overcome my fears so I can do some of those things again. I told him that he would never see one of New York City’s greatest landmarks, but he still had his mommy and daddy, unlike so many other children that had now lost parents. I remember spending days in Manhattan walking from Midtown to the Village. Whereas life in New York before the attacks was always lived with a sense of caution, that feeling is so much greater now in light of everything that has transpired. A few were late for work because they got stuck in heavy traffic, missed their bus or train, or forgot to set their alarm clock. I told him how after the buildings collapsed hundreds of people were running away from the area. Minutes later the second building burst into flames, hit by another commercial airplane.