16 Years Ago
My mom dropped me off at school just like every other day. The private school I was at during this time had an early morning program for parents who had to get to work early. We’d watch cartoons and play games and in my case, usually get in trouble for running my mouth. But that’s a story for another time.
This Tuesday did not differ from the last Tuesday. Or so I thought.
As we were watching whatever cartoon or early morning show, the TV suddenly switched over to a news station showing a tall building that was on fire. I was immediately upset that the show I was thoroughly enjoying had been shut off.
“Why are we watching this building burn?! Can we go back to the show?!”
Before you jump all over me, hear me out. I was just 11 and was from California. I had no idea what the World Trade Center was. I had no idea what the Twin Towers were. The only Twin Towers that I knew of were Tim Duncan and David Robinson from the San Antonio Spurs. But once the teacher explained what happened, the gravity of the situation set in.
At that point we still didn’t know too much about what was happening. The teachers tried to proceed as if everything was okay so as not to upset these elementary students they had.
As the rest of my class started showing up for school, many had been watching the news or listening to the radio on the way in.
“I heard that one plane is on its way to LA!” Thankfully that rumor didn’t pan out, but I remember that quick feeling of panic that somehow my fragile world could get ripped apart by such a senseless act of violence.
My mom decided to not pull me out of school to keep some semblance of regularity in the face of such a tragedy. Once I got home, though, there was no escaping the horribleness of what happened.
I remember coming home and seeing my mom moved to tears by the footage of people jumping from the building to escape the horror that was facing them in the buildings. I can’t say I would have done any different in their situation.
During the following weeks, months, and even years, as more and more information and stories came out of this calamity, I just couldn’t believe this had happened. How could someone have so much hate or disdain in their hearts for people they didn’t even know? It still baffles me to this day.
I was one of the lucky ones. I had no family or friends that were involved. But to those fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, and everything in between that didn’t come home, I can only imagine. 16 years later, and I’m sure the wounds are still there.
I know that every year when this moment rolls around, I am thankful because I still have my loved ones here. And I pray for those that don’t have that luxury anymore.
In the weeks following 9/11, I don’t think I ever saw the country so united. Everyone was there for each other. It was incredible.
We need some of that right now. I hope we can think back to how that was and try to get some of that back because we sorely need it.
To anyone out there who was affected by this tragic event, I commend you for getting through it. For not giving up, but becoming stronger every day.
We will never forget.