It started out as a beautiful day. I had been rear ended the day before and I was still very sore, but I got the kids off to school and took the car into the dealership to get and estimate on the damage. I was sitting in the show room watching the TV and a plane flew into a building in New York and I thought it was a movie, then I realized it was the News. Then another plane appeared and hit a building and I knew we were under attack. I left immediately.
I remember driving home in a state of shock and fear. I dug out my husbands military papers as I knew this meant some kind of war and I wanted to make sure he could or would not be deployed. He was a combat engineer/ surveyor and they are the first to go out to plan strategy and roads. He had been DTY'd twice in our marraige for uprisings in Panama during the Noriega crisis. I did not want him going again. But I realized he was over his time limit and we were okay.
I remember the University calling me as I sat in shock waiting to go pick up the kids from school. They told me to do whatever I wanted about classes that evening. I thought about cancelling, but then I thought, NO!, if we shut down they have won. I will hold classes and whoever comes, comes. I remember being surprised that all 25 of my students arrived. Everyone felt that for the children it was better that life was normal. As adults we were all walking around like zombies.
One of my youngest boys came in with treats for the class and he was crying. When I talked to the mom it seemed that he had brought treats to school for his birthday and the teacher had not given them out and they had not sung happy birthday to him. Everyone was in such a blur. HE was convinced at the ripe old age of 7 that his birthday was ruined and cursed for life.
I remember giving him a hug and telling him, that yes his birthday would be marked, but I was going to remember this day as a good day because he had been born on this day and it was a reason to rejoice. I also told him I would never forget how important this day was to me as he had been born on it. I have called him every year on his birthday. Sometimes he was not home so I sang to an answering machine, when he was in college I embarrassed him with my phone calls. Now he is a father with three kids and I still call him and sing.
It was a very bad day, but we never gave up, I never gave up, and we still have important things to celebrate. Great things, because we are a great country. We will never forget and I will always celebrate the good.
I am off to enjoy the sun and the pool and maybe go out on the kayaks later. TODAY I am going to celebrate the end of summer as next week will be hell!
Have some fun today, give your kids and extra hug, make someone happy, remember the good.
Kim
People have tried to convince me that 9/11 ruined my birthday. I am not a person who lost a loved one or friend, so the impact was nothing to me compared to the impact on other people, so I was not going to be sad for me. I am sad for others, though. Yes, Sept 11 is my birthday.
ReplyDeleteWell another good reason to celebrate!
DeleteHow odd to read your post here today Kim & yet we were just discussing last night what we were doing that day (its the 12th here now). It was early morning, about 6 am & my husband had just got home from Nightshift & I was on the rowing machine at the end of our lounge - he turned the TV on to get the news & just like you did, I remember thinking Why are they playing an action movie at this time of the morning? But it was no action movie & I remember the sense of surreal-ness & horror that we felt all the way down under to here in New Zealand. It was just horrific as it unfolded. I hope you have some fun & a good day today my friend.
ReplyDeleteThat is it in a nutshell, we all sat around as if we were not there, it was just so horrible.
DeleteI remember that day like it was yesterday. The anger, the fear, the sadness. My Mom was very sick then (she passed in Oct.) and I remember asking - what is happening to our world through tears.
ReplyDeleteI remember the stillness that came to the skies after - I live in a plane route of the airport and the stillness was deafening. I also remember the caring and love people showed in the days after. I wish we could get that part back!
Well I always beleive that crisis brings out the best in most people (most),
DeleteIt's such a hard day, and it's still so vivid in my mind. You made such a difference for that poor kid, in that moment.
ReplyDeleteIt was a hard day and it is still a hard day for many but there is also joy.
DeleteGlad you were able to cheer that little boy, and how wonderful that you still call him on his birthday.
ReplyDeleteWe were living in northern VA at the time, and I had just dropped my daughter off at preschool. After the plane hit the Pentagon, all the schools and many businesses were on lockdown. We didn't know if other planes were targeting the area. Such a sad time.
It was terrible, but we must come out of it better people.
DeleteMy sister was preparing to get married on the 15th of September and was wondering if she should postpone it. My dad convinced her to carry on because he said if there was ever a time for something good to happen, it was then. He believed everyone needed something like a wedding to celebrate - to not let the b*&^@#$ win. He also spoke at the reception, sharing the thought process behind why they went on with the plans and then he asked everyone to join him in prayer to pray for all of the lives that were lost and changed that day. It was very moving and it did us all a lot of good. We cried for the people and we cried because you always cry at weddings. We will never forget. Ranee (MN)
ReplyDeleteWell you did the right thing. We all need to go on and be strong. Because then we are winners.
DeleteWe were living in SW Florida. I heard about the first plane on the radio. When I got home I turned on the Today show and watched in horror as the second plane hit. A local police officers wife was an attendant on the flight that fought the terrorists and took the plane down. She left behind four small children.
ReplyDeleteThat is so sad. But what brave people.
DeleteI love that you still call that sweet boy/young man and wish him Happy Birthday. You are the best!
ReplyDeleteIt is a family joke now, but I will continue.
DeleteSo very glad you treated the little boy in a special way and continued to sing to him each year. That's precious. 911 still gives me goose bumps and I know that we all don't know the entire story behind this attack on our country.
ReplyDeleteIt was a horrible time and is still horrible for many, but we have to be strong and move forward.f
DeleteRemember the good should be our mantra every single day.
ReplyDeleteIt has to be, because, we are good, we will always be good.
DeleteWhat a beautiful story Kim. I love that you are still making that little boy feel special on his birthday. You have such a good heart.
ReplyDelete