In other words it’s September 12, 2019.
Yesterday was 9/11.
The 18th anniversary of the terrorist attacks in New York.
In the news, people were interviewed, many reflected on where they were on that day.
Do you remember?
I heard reflections of suffering.
Sadly offering up painful memories on the loss of life.
Some expressed how fortunate they or loved ones felt.
I didn’t want to distract from any of them.
That’s why this post is dated today 9/11/19 plus one.
My heart goes out to all.
I have a story too.
In New York.
I was there.
On 9/11/01.
I was vacationing with my wife, my brother, sister, brother in law, and my niece back then.
We saw the sites, went to a Yankees game, ate great food.
We flew out of New York that morning.
We were in the air when the attacks came.
We didn’t know anything had happened,
not until we landed in Cincinnati for a layover.
Crowds were gathered in the airport watching the news.
Everyone was in state of shock.
We heard crying, people on phones calling loved ones.
We were stunned.
This couldn’t be happening.
Were we being attacked?
Watching the airport monitors, we saw the towers fall.
Miechelle and I had just been there. At the top of the WTC, looking out over the city.
It later occurred to me that we were one of the last groups to be there.
At the top, looking out.
All flights were cancelled. How were we to return home?
We sat and waited. And waited, still trying to make sense of what happened.
We called family and friends.
“Yes, we were OK.” “We did make it out of New York.”
“No, we don’t know how we would get home.”
Eventually, someone approached us, heard of our dilemma and offered to drive all of us and one more to Chicago and then to Milwaukee, where our cars were parked.
$100 each, and we were on our way.
On the drive home, my mind was racing. Were my parent’s OK? Were my kids? They were scattered around the country, were they safe? Who was responsible and why?
Would there be more attacks?
On that long trip, that’s all I could think of, over and over.
Our simple, safe, and carefree world had just changed, never to be the same.
Since 2001, occasionally I’ve been asked to comment on what I felt. I usually don’t.
What I felt is not important.
I made it.
Others did not.
I think large scale events like this makes everyone stop and wonder what could have been.
Sometimes not always right away.
At least not with me.
Over time, I’ve wondered if there was a reason we left when we did.
How would I have responded if I had been on one of the planes?
Or in one of the Towers when the plane crashed into it.
But there really is no sufficient answer.
I wasn’t on the plane.
Or in the Tower.
I’m posting this the day after the anniversary.
As I mentioned, I don’t want to offer a distraction from the thoughts and recollections shared yesterday.
So many others, the victims and their families have suffered,
that day and every day since with their memories.
I didn’t.
My family didn’t either.
There was worry, anxiety, fear even.
But no, we were all right, we were safe.
I usually don’t mention that I was in New York that day.
And when I do reflect on that day, 18 years ago, I think of the needless deaths and suffering.
The pain and anguish many still feel.
Through all of the remembrances, I do think of one other thing.
That I’m grateful.
Extremely.
Today.
And every day after.
My family, my friends are here.
And so am I.
Never Forget.
JT
Growing up, in the 60’s and 70’s, we asked constantly – What’s going on?
Still relevant in 2001.
More so in 2019.
Can you tell me,
What’s going on?
Marvin Gaye
What’s going On/
2 favorite lines
War is not the answer
Only love can conquer hate…
click the link….
listen to the lyrics too…