My memory of 9/11- Love over Hate
On September 11th, 2001, I was four years old. I don't remember much. I'm not even sure if what I do remember even happened or if I've made it up over time. I have a faint memory of being in school and the teacher describing what happened. That there was a plane crash in New York City. I remember knowing my grandma worked in New York City.
My most vivid memory of that day is me sitting on the couch at home with the news on, not really knowing what's going on. I can see my mom on her phone with her head down worried. I think she was crying.
That's all that I remember. Despite that, it's a day I think about a lot. As I grew older, I found out that my grandma worked in a building right across the street from the World Trade Center...
When I was twelve years old I asked her about how she survived and this is what (I remember) she told me:
As far as I know, my grandma mostly worked in her office, in the building across from the World Trade Center. On this particular day though, she didn't go into the office, which was a rarity. She traveled somewhere else (I want to say New Jersey) for work instead. She was driving in her car when she heard the news on the radio. She pulled over and she cried.
When she was finally able to compose herself she called the people she needed to call to tell them she was okay.
I honestly can't even begin to imagine what it's like for such a tragedy to strike somewhere you see everyday. It's difficult for my fragile heart to comprehend the amount of loss, fear and terror that was felt by so many people that day. I haven't had the guts to watch one of the many documentaries that has been made about the events that happened that day. It's all well and fine to watch a movie about a fictional tragedy but to watch a reenactment of a tragedy that affected so many people... my heart can't handle that.
I am so lucky that I am not one of those people who have suffered a loss. I thank God everyday for protecting my grandma. For any of you who don't know me, my grandma is my bestest friend. Everyone that has met her can testify as to how much of an amazing person she is. She is one of the kindest most selfless persons I know. And I'm not saying that because she's my grandma. I'm saying that because it's true.
Now that I'm older, I can truly appreciate how fortunate I am to have had these last seventeen years with her and many more to come. My life would have been completely different if I lost her. All of my fondest memories would be gone. Every summer, Christmas, birthday, none of it would have been as magical as they were if she wasn't there. I had the wonderful opportunity this summer to go on a cruise with her, just the two of us, to celebrate my 21st birthday. It was one of the best, most amazing experiences of my life spending that time with her.
I know that so many people were not as fortunate as me... people lost their grandparents, parents, spouses, children, friends. So many innocent lives lost. My heart goes out to all of the victims and people who lost their loved ones.
I believe in God because of all of the brave men and women who risked their own lives to save others. Every single one of them is an angel, whether they think so or not. Every fireman, police officer, paramedic, nurse, doctor or good Samaritan. There were reportedly 343 firefighters that lost their lives trying to save others on that day. I would like to believe there is a special place in Heaven for them where they are getting the ultimate VIP treatment. For someone to sacrifice their own life to save another is a true act of heroism. I hope the families of those whose lost their lives saving others find peace knowing their loved ones were heroes.
There were 19 terrorist hijackers that caused the tragedies that occurred in New York City and Washington DC. But I want to talk about some of the heroes from that day.
Welles Crowther was a 24 year old investment banker that worked in the World Trade Center. He helped evacuate people from the building and even carried a woman down 17 flights of stairs. He could have stopped there and been considered a hero for just helping that one woman. But as soon as he got out, he grabbed a 'jaws of life' tool and ran back into the building to help more people.... it collapsed before he could make it out again. Before he began helping everyone, Welles called his mother to tell her what was happening. I can't imagine how she felt losing her son but I hope she is proud of herself for raising a hero.
Moira Smith was the first officer to report the attacks when she saw the first plane striked the tower. She was remembered to have been calm and efficient in helping hundreds of people evacuate the building. Moira didn't survive. She sacrificed her life leaving behind her two year old daughter and husband. She was the only female NYPD officer to lose her life that day. She is a credit to all women and all police officers for her heroism.
There are so many heroes and stories that I wish I could share all of them with you. I don't feel like I can leave our their names. I want them to be remembered. I know the people that knew them won't forget but they deserve to be known by so many more. I can't possibly know everyone's names, I wish I could include them all but here's some:
Mark Bingham
Ronald Paul Bucca
Rick Rescorla
Jeremy Glick
Todd Beamer
Deena Burnett
Jason Thomas
Dave Karnes
William Jimeno
John McLoughlin
Betty Ong
Amy Sweeney
Rick Rescorla
Maj. Heather Penney
Col. Marc Sasseville
Jason Thomas
Beau Doboszenski
My most vivid memory of that day is me sitting on the couch at home with the news on, not really knowing what's going on. I can see my mom on her phone with her head down worried. I think she was crying.
That's all that I remember. Despite that, it's a day I think about a lot. As I grew older, I found out that my grandma worked in a building right across the street from the World Trade Center...
When I was twelve years old I asked her about how she survived and this is what (I remember) she told me:
As far as I know, my grandma mostly worked in her office, in the building across from the World Trade Center. On this particular day though, she didn't go into the office, which was a rarity. She traveled somewhere else (I want to say New Jersey) for work instead. She was driving in her car when she heard the news on the radio. She pulled over and she cried.
When she was finally able to compose herself she called the people she needed to call to tell them she was okay.
I honestly can't even begin to imagine what it's like for such a tragedy to strike somewhere you see everyday. It's difficult for my fragile heart to comprehend the amount of loss, fear and terror that was felt by so many people that day. I haven't had the guts to watch one of the many documentaries that has been made about the events that happened that day. It's all well and fine to watch a movie about a fictional tragedy but to watch a reenactment of a tragedy that affected so many people... my heart can't handle that.
I am so lucky that I am not one of those people who have suffered a loss. I thank God everyday for protecting my grandma. For any of you who don't know me, my grandma is my bestest friend. Everyone that has met her can testify as to how much of an amazing person she is. She is one of the kindest most selfless persons I know. And I'm not saying that because she's my grandma. I'm saying that because it's true.
Now that I'm older, I can truly appreciate how fortunate I am to have had these last seventeen years with her and many more to come. My life would have been completely different if I lost her. All of my fondest memories would be gone. Every summer, Christmas, birthday, none of it would have been as magical as they were if she wasn't there. I had the wonderful opportunity this summer to go on a cruise with her, just the two of us, to celebrate my 21st birthday. It was one of the best, most amazing experiences of my life spending that time with her.
I know that so many people were not as fortunate as me... people lost their grandparents, parents, spouses, children, friends. So many innocent lives lost. My heart goes out to all of the victims and people who lost their loved ones.
I believe in God because of all of the brave men and women who risked their own lives to save others. Every single one of them is an angel, whether they think so or not. Every fireman, police officer, paramedic, nurse, doctor or good Samaritan. There were reportedly 343 firefighters that lost their lives trying to save others on that day. I would like to believe there is a special place in Heaven for them where they are getting the ultimate VIP treatment. For someone to sacrifice their own life to save another is a true act of heroism. I hope the families of those whose lost their lives saving others find peace knowing their loved ones were heroes.
There were 19 terrorist hijackers that caused the tragedies that occurred in New York City and Washington DC. But I want to talk about some of the heroes from that day.
Welles Crowther was a 24 year old investment banker that worked in the World Trade Center. He helped evacuate people from the building and even carried a woman down 17 flights of stairs. He could have stopped there and been considered a hero for just helping that one woman. But as soon as he got out, he grabbed a 'jaws of life' tool and ran back into the building to help more people.... it collapsed before he could make it out again. Before he began helping everyone, Welles called his mother to tell her what was happening. I can't imagine how she felt losing her son but I hope she is proud of herself for raising a hero.
Moira Smith was the first officer to report the attacks when she saw the first plane striked the tower. She was remembered to have been calm and efficient in helping hundreds of people evacuate the building. Moira didn't survive. She sacrificed her life leaving behind her two year old daughter and husband. She was the only female NYPD officer to lose her life that day. She is a credit to all women and all police officers for her heroism.
There are so many heroes and stories that I wish I could share all of them with you. I don't feel like I can leave our their names. I want them to be remembered. I know the people that knew them won't forget but they deserve to be known by so many more. I can't possibly know everyone's names, I wish I could include them all but here's some:
Mark Bingham
Ronald Paul Bucca
Rick Rescorla
Jeremy Glick
Todd Beamer
Deena Burnett
Jason Thomas
Dave Karnes
William Jimeno
John McLoughlin
Betty Ong
Amy Sweeney
Rick Rescorla
Maj. Heather Penney
Col. Marc Sasseville
Jason Thomas
Beau Doboszenski
And to the 300 rescue dogs who spent several days looking for survivors, enduring bloody paws and sleepless nights. They couldn't know what they were doing it for but they saved so many lives and brought hope in a hopeless time. (One of the reasons dogs will always have a special place in my heart.)
In summation, on this sad anniversary, I want to encourage people to try and find the light in the darkness. See the good in the bad.
Just under 3,000 people lost their lives on this tragic day. Over 10,000 were injured. If it wasn't for the brave men and women that sacrificed their lives to save others, those figures could have been reversed.
Nineteen people committed unspeakable acts of hate that day. In the wake of those acts, thousands of other people committed thousands acts of love. Love will always triumph over hate.
Thank you to all of the men and women who sacrificed their lives for others. May God look over the families and friends of all of those who were effected.
Thanks for reading,
Emily xx
(Here are the links to the websites where I got my facts and names)
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