Reflection on 9/11

[dizzojay]

On this 20th anniversary, I've been thinking about 9/11.

Mr D and I went to New York in April 2001 for my birthday.  During our stay, we went up the world trade centre and had a cup of tea and a slice of cake in the restaurant there at the top of one of the towers (I can't remember which one).

There was a nice lady on the till and she was teasing me about being British because I wanted milk with my tea.  Then I couldn't find the milk and we had a laugh together.  It was one of those 'ships that pass in the night' moments.  I didn't know her name and she didn't know mine, but for a brief moment, we connected.

Fast forward six months.  I was working at Apple UK at the time.  Apple, obviously being an American company.  I'd just finished my lunch when I got a text from Mr D.  'You need to get the news up on your internet'.  Almost imediately after I'd read his text, I heard a noise across the office.  It sounded like a choking howl.  A sound of pure anguish that dissolved into someone crying.

I logged onto the internet after the first tower had been hit and about five minues before the second one hit.  I watched that one live with wide-eyed horror and disbelief.

By now, there were several people in the office crying.  The horror of the towers collapsing was yet to come, but no doubt everyone was thinking of those poor people on the planes, and in the towers where they hit.  We were thinking of the amazing and brave emergency services who would be risking their lives in the carnage as we watched.

But most of all, I was thinking of that nice lady in the restaurant.  I found myself sitting at my desk, tears rolling down my face, just hoping so hard that this day had been her day off.



Now, 20 years on, we know the full extent of the horror of that day.  The workers in the towers, the plane passengers and the emergency services; gone, always loved and always remembered. 

Never forget and never be defeated by terrorism. 

Sending all good wishes to my chums across the pond on this difficult day.

Comments

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I was reading an article by a photographer who was there trying to somehow record what was happening while breathing in all the dust and debris, and basically it's just (still) unimaginable what people who were there went through.

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

It's just unimaginable. I know we grew up with terrorism, all through the 'troubles', but nothing on this scale.

[yeuxdebleu.livejournal.com]

I was packing to go to a work convention when hubby came rushing into the room and said to turn on the TV. The first tower had been hit and everyone was assuming it was an accident, then while we were watching, the second tower was hit. My convention was canceled (in NYC) and I was glued to the TV the rest of the day.

The restaurant you went to was probably Windows on the World. I had been there numerous times and hubby had designed many offices in the World Trade Center buildings. (He was an architect and designer and his own office was only a couple of blocks away. He quit working in NYC a year before 9/11.) I don't think WotW was open for breakfast so your acquaintance probably wasn't there.

I just couldn't believe what happened...for a long time after.

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

I think everyone has their own 9/11 story. it's just one of those days that will live in everyone's consciousness forever.

Your words are really comforting. I really hope that lady hadn't started her shift when this all happened. Thank goodness your husband quit working in NYC before this all happened.

I bought my Mum a little green teddy Statue of Liberty souvenir when I went to NYC in 2001, and my Dad won't even look at it. it reminds him too much of what I could have been caught up in.

[yeuxdebleu.livejournal.com]

....my Dad won't even look at it. it reminds him too much of what I could have been caught up in.

I have a friend who was in NYC on business and had stayed at the Marriott Hotel located between the towers. It was squashed then the towers collapsed. He checked out the day before 9/11. The thought that he could have still been staying in the hotel really shook him up for years..

[kiramaru7.livejournal.com]

Mom's friend was working across the street from there & she said it was HORRIBLE, like the world was coming to an end. She was okay & got out of the area safely. My Auntie who works in the city said it took her & her friend (they left together) 7 hours to get home from work. She also said it was like the world had just ended. I've been to the memorial, it's a nice peaceful place, but it's sooo SAD that it had to come about due to such a MAJOR Tragedy.

I watched a bit of what aired on TV & it was just HEARTBREAKING 20 years later.

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

I grew up in the 70's and 80's throughout all the Irish troubles, when there were bombs going off in the UK every other weekend, so I'm no stranger to terrorism. But I've never experienced anything on this scale. It' just too horrible to contemplate.

[casey28.livejournal.com]

My mom and sister lived in NYC at that time, and I remember my mom telling me about the families in her neighborhood who lost loved ones that day.
After the horror of what happened on 9/11, it got to the point where I couldn't watch the news anymore... it was too overwhelming.

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

I grew up in the 70's and 80's throughout all the Irish troubles, when there were bombs going off in the UK every other weekend, so I'm no stranger to terrorism. But I've never experienced anything on this scale. It' just too horrible to contemplate.

[metallidean-grl.livejournal.com]

What a lovely story of your experience at the Windows restaurant. If the restaurant wasn't serving yet, chances are she wasn't there yet. So, we'll hope and stick with that. Although I did hear stories of some people that were up there that of course, didn't make it out. So tragically sad. For all of them.

It's hard to believe that horrible day was 20 years ago already. I remember everything that happened that day very clearly. Everyone in my office was glued to the TV, hard to watch, yet hard to pull yourself away. For me and my brothers, my parents were in Holland at the time. They were due to fly back the next day. Needless to say, their flight got delayed about a week. I felt like I couldn't breathe until they were home. The hard part of it was my mother was on very particular medications and she only had enough to last her for the time they were away. Thankfully they were able to procure some extra meds in Amsterdam. Speaking the language also helped, although most everyone there speaks at least a little English. I was very relieved when I greeted them home at the airport. Never more happy to see my parents than that day.