Remembering 9-11
Twenty four years ago, today on 9-11-2001, I was awakened by a phone call just before 6am in Seattle. A friend on the line said cryptically, “Turn your TV on there is something going on.”
My wife and I watched the news coverage of the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York which was burning as it had been hit by an airplane a few minutes earlier. No one really knew what was going on at that point and the newscasters speculated this could be some kind of bizarre accident. Then as we watched in horror the second plane hit. To this day tears well up in my eyes when I think about it. We knew then this was no accident.
Anyone old enough to live through this knows how this tragedy unfolded that day and we each have our own story, many much more profound than mine. With the utmost respect for all those who were lost that day and to the supreme efforts of so many including countless first responders I tell mine.
Watching this dreadful drama play out on TV we were, like so many others, shocked and dismayed. The full gravity of the situation hadn’t really sunk in yet when the reporters started talking about the airplanes. The first plane that hit they said was an American Airlines flight that had come out of Boston Logan and was purportedly headed for the west coast. I looked at my wife in utter disbelief as my mother who lived in New Hampshire at the time was coming to visit us that day and had flown out of Boston Logan on American Airlines that morning. I picked up the phone and immediately called the airline. It took a long time to get through and then when I finally did and explained to the agent my situation she put me on another long hold. In the meantime, the continuing saga kept unfolding before our eyes. Eventually some kind of manager answered the phone. I explained the situation with my mom, the flight she was on, and her full name, and was put on hold again. The buildings continued to burn and although I wondered if my mother could possibly have been on that plane I had a gut feeling that she wasn’t.
After what seemed like an agonizingly long time the manager came back on the phone. “The only thing that I can tell you is that your mother was not on that flight.” I asked if she was sure and she said yes, she was positive. I asked where she was, and she said she did not know.
A wave of relief came over me and my head cleared a bit. What about my co-workers in New York I thought? At the time I worked for Power & Motoryacht magazine which was based on Madison Avenue in midtown Manhattan. That was a long way from the twin towers but even still. I called the office and got voicemail. I tried my boss’ cellphone, no answer. After trying to get through for a long time I finally reached a coworker. The entire team had been on an outing that day. They were on the Staten Island ferry when the tragedy occurred. They were safe but stuck in Staten Island not knowing what to do or how they would get home. Some lived in New Jersey, but others commuted from Long Island and Connecticut. They somehow had to get back through the city to get home. It would be a long emotional day. They were very shaken up and confused having watched some of the attack unfold but luckily, they were safe. To the best of my knowledge no one on the team’s immediate family was working in or around those buildings that day.
After several hours I finally spoke to my mom. Her plane had been diverted to Rochester, NY, coincidently where she was born. She said the LA flight that hit the tower left from the next gate in Boston. She was upset. She had seen those people only a few hours before. No one mentioned it but my wife and I used to live in LA. If we still lived there things could have been very different.
Twenty four years ago today on September 11th, 2001 the world changed. I think back and there is a special place in my heart for all those innocent victims, their families, and all the first responders. I didn’t even know them, but they will always be dear to me.
I am not ashamed that life goes on. I believe that all of our continued lives honor those that lost theirs that day. Today I am attending the Newport RI boat show and will try to carry a bit of the spirit of those souls with me as I enjoy a day that will always be bittersweet.
