I remember the day as if it was yesterday. I was at work and my girls were in school. We had just settled in with our hot coffee in our favorite mugs at the office I worked in located in Reston, Virginia. Another employee came in to tell us that the twin towers had collapsed and thousands were injured and or believed to be dead. We looked at each other and felt our hearts sink... we were stunned, hurt and confused. A plane had hit the twin towers? Had the pilot fallen asleep?? Problems with the air traffic controllers??
When we reached the lunch room television, we watched in amazement what was unfolding in front of our eyes. It seemed as though we were watching a horrer movie... and the fear of the attacks perhaps happening all around us. My children were an hour away and it felt as though there were days between us. We were told we must stay where we were because they had shut down Dulles Airport and the surrounding area so that they could secure the area. When we were finally able to leave, we hugged each other for the second time that day and could not reach our loved ones fast enough.
I drove with white knuckles all of the way home. The girls and I sat in front of the tv, horrified of what we saw and the feelings and heart ache overwhelmed us... We held each other in comfort and prayed for those who did not walk out.
Later, the stories began coming out of the courageous actions and help of others... of the employee that had a dental appointment earlier that day and didn't go in... of the employees who called in sick that day... and the many others that were blessed with reasons for not walking into those buildings that were attacked that day. It was simply not their time.
Today, please say a prayer for those who lost their lives and for their families and friends. Remember that those that attacked have no remorse and will attack again if given the chance. We must stay strong, united and remember 911.
