The TV was on as I walked into Mrs. Evan's science class, my first period class, it had more pictures of the towers with smoke coming out of it, only this time it was old video, Mrs. Evans told us the towers had collapsed. She gave us some busy-work assignment so that we would still be productive, but she kept the TV on in the background and no one spoke. Ten minutes later Mrs.Evans received a phone call. After she turned off the TV and said that the Principle/school board requested that all TVs be kept off, because the material was too sensitive to us at our young age.
The day went on like usual, but the teachers all seemed a bit quieter and distant. I walked in to Mrs. Glance's history class, my 6th and last period of the day, and was surprised to see the TV on. Mrs. Glance was an older women who was always on the verge of eccentric but she was one of my favorite teachers. after we all got settled she announced that today was history in the making! She said we probably too young to feel or understand the implications of this tragedy, but we were old enough to have a right to what was going on! She said she didn't care how many times they would tell her to turn off the TV, she wasn't going to. I don't know what we did the rest of the day but I remember that I was bothered by her words. I was old enough to understand anything! I wasn't a baby! but I soon realized she was right...
People cried a lot for a couple of days. people I knew, people on TV, everybody cried. but I didn't cry. It seemed really bad what happened but that about where my feelings stopped. I felt indifferent. I wanted to feel sorry for everyone who died, I wanted to cry, I wanted to understand the implications of this tragedy, but I couldn't....
The years pasted swiftly and the September 11th's came and went, I only have memories from September 11th 2002 because my mom was involved in a major car accident that day. Last year shortly after school started I noticed American flags in many front lawns around town. It thought all day and I couldn't remember what national holiday it was! Then later that night I realized that it was September 11th! I felt embarrassed and angry with myself for being so disrespectful! I vowed I would do differently this year. So I put my own flags up last night! And have tried to keep it in my thoughts all day.
After work I noticed a "remembering 9/11/01" link on a pop-up on my computer and thought "huh- that would be a good thing to do today!" so I clicked it. MSNBC.com had posted clips of their news cast that day, all the highlights: when they first started covering it, when the second plane hit, when both towers fell. I watched them all.... I watched everything I missed that day, eight years ago during my 8th grade classes. I got goose-bumps knowing, remembering that day. I wanted to tell Matt and Katie, as they made guesses of what they were watching (before real reports came in), that yes! what you think is happening is really happening! I wanted to tell them what was going to happen in the next few weeks and months for them. I wanted to tell them how the single day has changed all of our histories forever! and then I noticed something. I noticed a tear on my cheek. I realized I was crying! After 8 years... I finally cried.I now understand the tragedy of 9/11, I understand the hurt and the pain and the loss. I understand its far reaching affects because I'm still living them!
My prayers are with all who has been affected by 9/11 today. Those pasted and those still with us.
Where were you 8 years ago today? How has it changed YOU?
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3 comments:
It's funny how much I can remember from that day. I remember riding with my friend listening to Z103 on the radio when it was happening. Neither of us had heard of the World Trade Centers. All she knew was that it was bad that it had happened. During my first class period we watching CNN. We watched the news for a few minutes in orchestra before the teacher made us play. I remember holding my breath when the buildings actually went down. The whole day was crazy. I knew people that had parents that worked at the INL and they were worried that they were going to be targets too. (I remember a couple of specific girls going home because they were so upset about it.)
That night my mom and I watched CNN and I remember crying even though I didn't understand the magnitude like I do now. She was worried that it would for sure start the war and that any of my brothers could be affected by it. It was the first time that I can remember being scared of people going off to fight. This is kind of embarrassing, but I actually wrote a poem about it (something I have never done before.)
Rachel... thanks for sharing your thoughts. This is the most inspirational/patriotic message I have heard all day. I can't believe you were in 8th grade when it happened. I think it is neat though that now, as an adult, you do understand it and realize the significance. I was in my second semester of college when I found out. I read it on my dial up AOL internet first thing in the morning and then me and my roommates gathered around the TV. I remembered that we all cried together and prayed together and were in complete shock. I have two brothers that are pilots, so I worried about them a lot that day too. I'm just grateful our country (and those who serve for our country) has prevented other tragedies like this from happening thus far. Hopefully the peace & safety will continue! :-) There's my thoughts for ya!
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