Where were you?

So where were you eight years ago?

I can still remember that day like it was yesterday. I was 11. Mom was sitting in the living room folding laundry on the couch. I was sitting on the floor reading. The phone rang, and it was my aunt. I can remember her asking mom if she had the tv on. When mom told her no, she said to cut it on.

I didn’t completely understand what was going on at first. I knew that planes had just hit the WTC, but didn’t know what that meant for Americans. I watched in horror as not one, but 2 planes hit. Finally, I couldn't handle the images anymore. I ran to my room, and turned on the radio. I ran back into the living room when I heard the 1st tower fall.

And then the Pentagon...that one scared me. at the time, my uncle was working in that exact section of the pentagon. Because of the nature of his job, we didn't know whether he was there or not. So we spent hours sitting by the phone, praying that either he or my grandparents would call and let us know he was ok. We finally got a call late that afternoon, letting us know he was on a plane to London when it happened.

That night, our church held a candlelight vigil. I can remember standing in church, surrounded by both friends, regular church attendees, and people I’m sure had never seen the inside of a church. Black, white, poor, rich, farmer, banker...it didn't matter. We were all united.


Where were you?

Have You Forgotten?