9/11

I have realize in the 5 years that I've had this blog that only once did I post on 9/11, and it was a video about 'Finding Hope', a Mormon Message about the 9/11 tragedies. A great message.

But not once have I talked about where I was that day. I figure it appropriate to share since it is a day not to be forgotten.

Here's my story.

I was working at Canyon View Jr. High School in Orem, Utah as an ESL teacher. I was 24 years old.

That morning I got to school early, like 7:30ish, got to the classroom, started class with the English teacher.

Just a normal day.

At just before 9am I headed into the Admin office to print some things up that I needed for the class.

I walked in and everyone in there was glued to the TV.  I looked to see what they were all watching and saw the World Trade Center Towers, one of them on fire. Just moments before the first plane had hit one of the towers. They kept playing back what had happened, over and over. Each time my heart ached more and more for those people.

First the people in the airplane, and then the people in the tower. I couldn't imagine the agony those in the plane must have felt flying so low in NYC and heading towards the tower, knowing their lives were going to end in a moment.

I was glued to the TV. I had forgotten about my little class.

I stayed and watched in horror as the second plane hit the other tower on live TV.  We all gasped. I remember hearing, "no...no...no" over and over in that office.

After watching the TV for a while I ran back to the classroom and told the teacher to turn the TV on.  Our little students from other parts of the world watched in horror what was going on in this country. I don't know if they understood what people were saying on TV but they knew what was happening.

The English teacher, Mrs. Stanford, was shocked watching it too.

Then over the intercom the Principal talked to the whole school about what had just happened and to turn their TV's on. This was an important day in America's History. One we will never forget.

I remember hurrying home after work and being glued to the TV all day long. After the towers were hit the Pentagon was hit, as well as a plane crashing in Pennsylvania. I couldn't believe what was going on. I sat on my parents bed and slowly realized the day was turning into night. I had been there for hours, watching...crying...hurting for those people and their families. 

Such a horrific day in our History. Again, one that I won't ever forget.