9/11
The anniversary of 9/11 was a few weeks ago. On that day I remembered how hard Peter Jennings worked. He was on television the entire day. He was calm. He was patient. He was a rock.
I worked for a cell phone company then. There was so much confusion on that day. We didn’t know if there would be more attacks. If there were, wouldn’t it make sense to attack the headquarters of a communications company? My company sent everyone home just in case.
I thought about what I did. I remembered what happened. But I’d forgotten the feelings.
Earlier this week I watched Backdraft
It brought back a memory of 9/11. People were running from the Twin Towers. People like you and me were running away from the flames and the explosions. They were running for their very lives.
At the same time firemen and policemen we running toward the Twin Towers. They were running toward the flames and explosions as fast as they could go. Their only thought was to save people like you and me. Many of them died in the attempt.
In an instant I remembered what 9/11 felt like. I felt fear, confusion, grief, surprise and outrage. I also felt gratitude and pride.
You captured that day again for me in your words. I also remember watching as our policemen and firemen ran toward the danger instead of away. I recall feeling so proud of them, so grateful for all they did and continue to do. In a society that worships celebrity and notoriety, this was a moment in time when all of us saw what the big picture was all about – what really matters. The only question I have is – Did we really learn anything from it?
Cheri Z