I'm a day late to comment but I am very moved by your essay. You captured the sentiments on that day and in the immediate aftermath and also how it impacted you, and many others, close up, with others we know. I, too, lament our country's decision to launch a war on the entire "turbaned" world, the vestiges we still face as consequences today.
I still some years have a bit of PTS, incomparable to anyone who was in Manhattan, close to the Towers or knew anyone who died, or also any responders who have since died of toxic-related diseases. I had just departed from LeGuardia on a United Airlines flight after spending a perfect week in NYC with my daughter, her first time there. A half hour into the flight, our pilot announced that he had been told "due to national security, all planes must land" and he'd get back to us when he knew more. I'll never forget some profound silence in the cabin, the shock, trying to puzzle out what must have happened. I concluded nuclear war.
Our airline servers were crying, some on their phones, obviously losing friends that day. We were grounded at O'Hare. Imagine that hub empty; imagine the corridors inside empty, but for scant personnel that volunteered to stay, since O'Hare was deemed a target.
Four days after landing, we found a returned rental car with an agency willing to give us a one-way discount to drive home, from Chicago to Eugene. As we drove through America's heartland and stopped for gas or motels along the way, I collected local newspapers. We had a sign in our window to "Keep Hope Alive," and an American flag. I felt that unity of which you speak.
Thanks for letting me write all this, part of my recovery. My daughter told me yesterday that she has not been back to NYC since that awful day, and wants to see the memorial. I've been there, but we may go back next year and pay our respects.
What a harrowing story! So many of us have not recovered even now. I was far away and yet could think of nothing substantial to write for a long time. Everything felt so trivial. And I was sad too because anyone's death following the Trade Center felt inconsequential-- like if you didn't jump out a window to your death, your demise didn't count. We have more in common than differences--if only we could live that way. Be well, Linda
I'm a day late to comment but I am very moved by your essay. You captured the sentiments on that day and in the immediate aftermath and also how it impacted you, and many others, close up, with others we know. I, too, lament our country's decision to launch a war on the entire "turbaned" world, the vestiges we still face as consequences today.
I still some years have a bit of PTS, incomparable to anyone who was in Manhattan, close to the Towers or knew anyone who died, or also any responders who have since died of toxic-related diseases. I had just departed from LeGuardia on a United Airlines flight after spending a perfect week in NYC with my daughter, her first time there. A half hour into the flight, our pilot announced that he had been told "due to national security, all planes must land" and he'd get back to us when he knew more. I'll never forget some profound silence in the cabin, the shock, trying to puzzle out what must have happened. I concluded nuclear war.
Our airline servers were crying, some on their phones, obviously losing friends that day. We were grounded at O'Hare. Imagine that hub empty; imagine the corridors inside empty, but for scant personnel that volunteered to stay, since O'Hare was deemed a target.
Four days after landing, we found a returned rental car with an agency willing to give us a one-way discount to drive home, from Chicago to Eugene. As we drove through America's heartland and stopped for gas or motels along the way, I collected local newspapers. We had a sign in our window to "Keep Hope Alive," and an American flag. I felt that unity of which you speak.
Thanks for letting me write all this, part of my recovery. My daughter told me yesterday that she has not been back to NYC since that awful day, and wants to see the memorial. I've been there, but we may go back next year and pay our respects.
Elizabeth,
What a harrowing story! So many of us have not recovered even now. I was far away and yet could think of nothing substantial to write for a long time. Everything felt so trivial. And I was sad too because anyone's death following the Trade Center felt inconsequential-- like if you didn't jump out a window to your death, your demise didn't count. We have more in common than differences--if only we could live that way. Be well, Linda