10 years

I was a Sophomore in high school in second period Spanish. The class period had just begun when an announcement came over the loud speaker. Immediately the tone in our Principal's voice made me fear the worst. I remember thinking "Has the president been assassinated?" ...that kind of a pause before speaking and then tone of voice.

Miss Voghn turned on the tv and we watched the first tower smolder. I remember being confused and not fully comprehending the severity and gravity of the situation. We watched tv during each of the 9 class periods of the school day.

I rode the bus home with a childhood friend that day. We stood in her driveway with our mother's talking about the day's events. My mom commented that she didn't know what would happen the next day, would we have school? work? would there be more planes? should we get bottled water? were we safe?

The next few days held prayer services and shock. As an (admittedly) self-centered 15 year old I knew this was a big deal but I had no way of knowing how big of a deal it truly was.

In August 2001 I had been in New York City on the 114th floor of Tower One eating lunch. My grandmother had taken me as a "grown" up girls weekend. I begrudgingly took pictures in front of the World Trade Center and rolled my eyes when she suggested we take matchboxes from the bathroom of Windows on the World. Now I treasure those pictures, the memories they hold, and their place in history.

As an adult my comprehension of 9/11 is painful. It hurts my heart to understand the horrifically devastating events of that day. The anguish of families. The terror. The tragic loss of life.

Our country is forever changed.

I am changed.

I am so proud to be an American and I will never forget.

God Bless,
H