My Remembrance of 9/11

On Friday, I should have been finishing my book so I could write a review here.  Instead I was drawn to Google the events of 9/11.  I thought about my first and only time at the World Trade Center.


Before I was a mom and a school bus driver, I was a computer programmer.    My company had outsourced some functions to a company in New York.  My job usually did not lead me anywhere except to my cubicle or a conference room.  But one time in early part of 2001, I was assigned to go with others from my office to New York.     I ate lunch with my co-worker Leslie (not her real name) at the World Trade Center.  I remember that the view was beautiful and I thought this was the best lunch that I ever had.   I think it had to be the Windows on the World restaurant.  I knew we were at the top of the building.  I had hoped to return.


On September 11, 2001, I was with my co-worker Leslie again.  We had to go to a 10 o'clock meeting in Harrisburg for work.   She picked me up and we had a good time on the way.  We talked, laughed and listened to CDs all the way to Harrisburg.  We did not listen to the radio and did not have any clue about the tragic events unfolding while we were travelling.


Our meeting started promptly at 10 AM.  I wrote one sentence on my notepad before the announcement was made that the World Trade Center was attacked, Harrisburg was on lock down and that we had to leave.  I did not fully comprehend what was said because it was completely unbelievable.  Leslie and I left as quick as we could to listen to the radio in her car.  The ride home was completely different than the ride to our meeting.  


These events still sadden me.  I think about how normal the day started for all of these people and its tragic end.   This is the year I purposely thought about 9/11.  I watched Heroes of the 88th Floor on TLC and other 9/11 specials.  I finally threw out the piece of paper that had one sentence from my meeting that never started on 9/11.  I do not know why I kept it so long.   I read about the victims and those they left behind.   I really, really thought about 9/11 this year.  I prayed for those who still suffer from these events.  After reading about the youngest victim who was 2 1/2 years old travelling with her mom and dad,  I turned off the computer and chased my soon-to-be 3 year old around the house and let myself be chased by her.  Time is too precious...