Monday Musings

Do you remember where you were 15 years ago?

9-11 Memorial  (c) 2013, Library Nut

It was the day after our world changed forever. 

Overhead, the sky was empty.  At that time, we lived under the flight path for BWI.  Overhead, we heard nothing.  No airplanes rumbling overhead, no sound of the engines powering for a landing, or the *swooosh* as they climbed higher and higher.  At times, I expected to find tire marks on the roof of our house, it seemed that the planes came in so low.  But on this morning, 15 years ago, I heard nothing.  Occasionally, we could hear the swooshing of the F-15's flying up and down the Eastern Seaboard.  We would also hear the pounding of  a helicopter overhead.

Phones were finally working again, and late that night, all of our relatives had been accounted for, and we had been able to get word out to family that we were all safe and sound.  I wish we could say the same for all of our friends.  The wait to hear something - anything - was agonizing.

I don't know what life was like in your corner of the world, but in the Washington DC suburbs, it was as if everyone was holding their breath.  People came together and hugged, long conversations were had on street corners, in churches, grocery stores, and parks as people gathered, took stock, and attempted to adapt to our new reality.

In the months following the attacks, we had the Anthrax attacks.  Remember?  Anthrax was sent through the mail.  Several postal workers caught Anthrax from this secondary attack.

Freedom Tower, 2013

And then there was the DC Sniper.  People in the area lived in a defiant state of fear - determined to go on about their lives, but also scared to death.  I'll never forget walking quickly into the grocery store during that time with my daughter.  I was behind a woman who was jumping up and down and weaving side to side.  When we got in, I gave her a questioning look.  "I'm just trying to make it harder for him if he does decide to shoot me."    Those words have stuck with me all these years.

The day after.  And the days after that.  One day at a time, until we get here, 15 years later.  We have moved on, but we will never forget.

I hope you find the time to hug someone you love today.  Call someone you haven't seen in a while.  Maybe get together with some old friends later this week. 



Life can change in an instant.  Grab hold of someone you love and let them know how much they mean to you this week.