12 years ago the sun was shining…
it’s weird that i remember the weather, but when i woke, it was the first thing i saw…the sun, shining through my window…
there was quiet, there was peace…and then the world changed.
every year i take a step back and remember. i post the same post. i reflect, i sit in silence, i remember all of those we loved and lost. i remember the chaos, the smells, the smoke.
never forget…never.
september 11, 2001…
i remember the alarm going off. i looked out the window and noticed what a beautiful day it was. the sun was shining, it was the perfect ny morning. i went back to sleep.
i woke up a little later than i was supposed to that day (snooze button). i took my time getting ready for work. i watched ny1 every morning. i lived off the G line, my train never ran.
a small helicopter had just crashed into one of the world trade center buildings. it was an accident. a helicopter lost control. weird i thought, but my train was running so i left.
with a cup of coffee in hand i walked out of my door and looked down the street. i lived in brooklyn with a direct view from my front stoop. i always commented on how it was like i could reach my hand across the river and touch the trade center towers, it was a special place to live.
i walked to the subway in silence. there was a police officer stationed at the entrance, we were told to go home. there was a lot of confusion, but it was just an accident he said, i remember his face…
as i continued down the street and turned down my block i saw the 2nd plane fly into the building/the explosion. all i heard was screaming. i ran down my block and up the stairs to my apartment. i turned the tv on.
it wasn’t an accident…
my phone rang. my brother, he lived in dc at the time. he asked me if i was ok, and where i was and then said parts of dc were being evacuated. his classes were canceled and he was on his way back to his apt. we hung up and i tried to call my mom. no answer…i called my grandparents who live uptown…no answer. i cried.
a plane went down in dc, it hit the pentagon…
and then the south tower fell…
flight 93 went down…
and then i watched the 2nd tower fall…
i will never forget that day. the sadness, the tears, not being able to do anything.
nyc was different after 9/11. it wasn’t the same city i grew up in.
not only is september 11th the day the world changed, it’s also my grandparents anniversary and the day of a good friends birthday.
it’s a day i will never forget. it’s a day that will always be with me.
xoxoxo
Very heartfelt and poignant post. I live right here in the city and remember it like if happened yesterday. The ash coming down from the sky. The unknowing of what had happened. The Twin Towers.
We will never forget.