09/11/2023
I was 9-years-old, and my mom and brother walked in from the post office and said, “the world trade center’s been hit by terrorists”.
“What’s the World Trade Center?” I asked. I only vaguely understood what a terrorist was. I would soon understand, as our lives came to a halt for the next week at least, glued to my grandparents’ television, and watching the coverage. My grandmother had a cousin who worked in the trade center. He meant nothing to me, but seeing the real concern in my Situ as she called and waited to hear if he was safe, was very real.
My mom read all of the news, relayed all of the stories, and cried as she did so. Todd Beamer’s story was particularly impactful for my mom, I think because some of his last moments were spent on the phone with his wife, and as a deeply empathetic person, she was very moved by that.
Photos of firefighters covered in ash and soot and blood.
Grown men weeping.
Lifeless bodies.
Rejoicing at them finding another survivor.
And Situ’s cousin found safe. He had called in sick that day.
Not being able to walk my grandparents to the ✈️ gate any more.
These are all moments burned in my memory still 22 years later.
What about you? Where were you when the world stopped turning, that September day?
