9.11.01

I was commuting to college that morning. I had a 9:45 history class to make it to. I always listen to the radio while I'm in the car, and I'm a chronic channel hopper whenever the music stops and ads or news come on. My regular radio station was playing advertisements, so I switched the station. They were talking about how two planes had just hit the twin towers in New York City. The radio station had someone on the phone who had an an apartment a few blocks away from the towers and could see what was happening. I will never forget the panic and fear in his voice as he described what he was seeing. The towers hadn't completely collapsed at that point, but they started to while he watched. And he continued to describe what he saw. I couldn't believe it. Who would do this? Why would they do this? I had always wanted to live in NYC, and I felt like "my" city was under attack. One of my best friends had gone to NYC the summer before this happened, and she had given me a picture of the city skyline that she had taken from an airplane. It sits to my left as I type this. In the sky still stands those tall towers.

I had to go to class then, and I didn't hear about the other planes until later that day. In class we spent a few minutes talking about what had happened. Everyone was stunned. Some of the guys were talking about joining the army, and I remember being afraid of the thought of war.

I went straight home after class and got online. I had AOL at the time, and it was incredibly slow since the whole country was online. I kept getting kicked offline. I instant messaged a friend, but we both said a whole lot of nothing. There was really nothing to say.

There was a panic about gasoline, so I went to a local gas station to fill up my tank. There were cars lined up for the pumps and I waited my turn. As I left I passed my mother, who was coming to the gas station.

After the first night, I quit watching news coverage. I felt like it was too damaging. I did watch and read stories of the survivors, those who fell, and the families left behind. I wanted to remember them. I hope I never forget.