It's one of those days that is remembered . I hear older people asking others, where were you when JFK was shot, and they always have an answer, without thinking. 9 11 is another of those days. I'm not going to lie or pretend that I was
directly affected. I wasn't there. I don't have family there and at the time I didn't even know anyone in NY. So, the impact on me was much, much smaller then it was for many and my heart goes out to them. I will tell you, however, that I do remember that day with perfect clarity. I remember sending the 2 oldest kids to school, sitting down in the living room with my 1 year old and hearing the phone ring. My MIL was on the phone asking if my tv was on. It was, we were watching the cartoon Caillou on PBS, I never watched adult tv. She asked if the older kids were in school. I said, "yeah, why". She said, "you have to go get them, we're under attack". She told me to turn on the news because planes were flying into buildings. I remember that chilled feeling when I hung up. I changed the channel on the tv and the phone rang again, it was my mom this time. She asked, "have you picked up your kids yet?" I said, "I'm going now", hung up, grabbed the little one, and headed to the school. I wasn't sure what was happening exactly but the radio was saying there were still planes in the air unaccounted for so I kept glancing up. I got to the school wondering what I would say. What excuse I would have to give to get my kids. I had no idea what the situation was, only that when a crisis happens I want my kids close. So, I walked into the school thinking up lies and was surprised to see a line of moms all picking up their kids, waiting to show i.d. The secretaries saw me and called my kids down right away, they knew me there so I skipped the line, I went to show i.d. and the principal said "just go, I'll sign them out". We walked to the car in silence and I debated whether to turn on the radio, I didn't. The kids asked why I picked them up and why all the other kids in their classes were leaving too. I told them it was a new holiday. I had no idea how true my little white lie would turn out to be. The drive home was quiet and I kept watching the skies, noticing how blue they were, and how clear because of the lack of smoke trails from the jets. We got home and I let the kids watch a movie in their room together while I watched the news in horror, just glad my kids were home and safe. It was a horrible day and for many their last day. I'm sorry for those lost, with loved ones lost, those still suffering and those who are now ill because of it. I know my story doesn't compare to most others, but I will never forget, and by that I hope to honor the ones who were directly affected.
