Personal Memories of 9/11 of 2001

BE FOREWARNED: IF YOU ARE NOT PREPARED TO READ OR ARE EASILY OFFENDED BY THE TRUTH ABOUT REAL EVENTS, FEELINGS, THOUGHTS AND EMOTIONS ON THIS DAY, PLEASE DO NOT READ THIS POST.

I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing the Tuesday morning of September 11, 2001. I worked as a Certificate Specialist at the Insurance Company, Cretcher-Lynch with a good friend, Debbie Clark. I recall someone yelling out, turn on the TV! We all looked at each other and made our way to the lunchroom. There, mounted in the upper right corner of our small kitchen and lounge was a 20" television set tuned to the local news. Broadcasting Live coverage of an airplane that hit one of the World Trade Buildings.

We couldn't believe our eyes! It was horrid and fascinating at once. You've heard the saying, "It's like seeing a train wreck," haven't you? It's awful and tragic, but exciting at the same time. You try to look away but you can't stop staring. We were mainly an office of ladies, bosses and assistants, teams, and individuals alike. Our male CEO's entered the room. Noting the solemn and grave expressions we wore, they said nothing and turned their attention to the screen, instead.

There was a fast consensus throughout the office that this was no accident even as the reporters debated the issue. We knew, beyond the shadow of a doubt, this was absolutely intentional. How could they even think otherwise? An airplane pilot would not in their lives, mistakenly hit a building like the World Trade Center Towers! Were they mad? Perhaps, just maybe, they were just as dismayed as we were, trying to hang on to reality as we'd known it until that day. Or, the American media machine was finally roused by reality instead of concocting its own brand of scare tactics.

None of us wanted to believe what was happening. But then, it happened again...

Another plane slammed into the second tower right before our eyes! We all gasped in a new wave of horror as we realized that this was all too real. In that moment, a lump caught in my throat. My eyes watered and my breath stopped. The announcement that all flights were "grounded" sent us quickly to the nearest window. The most vivid memory I have of September 11th is of the jet trails in the sky. All aircraft in our country were recalled and fiercely turning in mid-air. We were witness to the fantastic. The largest, civilian national effort of our time played out across American skies! And this was just the beginning.

I can't tell you the rest...it's too much. You have your own memories, haunting visions, and stories to tell. I will finish with this, however. Late into the night, as we watched our own firefighters leave Kansas City to join the rescue efforts in New York at Ground Zero, we cried. Our wedding was scheduled to take place in exactly four days! Our out of town guests were stuck at the airport. The Second Baptist Church in Liberty, Missouri was organizing a support effort and sending volunteers, as were more area churches, to Ground Zero to help the men and women firefighters and their families cope, remain hydrated, and fed.

I received a call from my tailor, who still had alterations to make on my wedding dress. She was stuck in California! Not only did I consider calling off the wedding in wake of the 9-11 tragedy still unfolding, it looked like it may not happen even if we did want to be married in four days. After two days of struggling with that decision, finding out that our out of town guests were arriving safely, and many talks with co-workers and friends alike, Greg left the decision up to me.

I woke up, on Friday, September 14, 2009 hell bent on marrying my man! I thought to myself, this is not right. They can't beat down America like this. I am an American. I was born and raised here, damn it. My parents settled in this country to give us a life worth living, to find happiness and joy in the America Dream. That is exactly what I wanted for us and to share with our guests! Our wedding day turned out to be so much more than a celebration of love, it was a celebration of continued life! The rebirth of a new and promising life as one. The life we knew as Americans, as free citizens, as caring and compassionate, God-fearing Christians and non-believing individuals alike. It didn't matter who was right or wrong, what mattered was that we were going on, moving forward, together.

Believe it or not, my wedding day turned into a beautiful occasion in spite of our nation's tragic events. In light of Tuesday's unsettling news and the weeks' exhaustive, stress-filled hours, I was going to be married that afternoon at 1:00 o'clock. Cutting to the chase and saving you a greater amount of time, our Wedding Reception was just the right "release" after 911. We had a ball. I didn't see a sad face in the place. There wasn't a single person SITTING DOWN at our reception {except Mama, because she was in her wheelchair, so get over it}! A conga line started and EVERYONE was in it! Every single guest in the room was on their feet, dancing...

No one was thinking about the twin towers collapse. We weren't meditating on all the loss, and death, or what the surviving families were going to do without their men and women who went down in those flights. We were allowed to let it all go and enjoy life again. Because in this country and around the world, for that matter, like it or not, life does go on. It will leave you in the dust if you let it. So, I encourage you all today, to begin Living like there's no tomorrow for the sake of the memories you will make Today! Laugh until there's no more tears. Sing like no one's listening! And dance like no one's watching. In the end, it's the laughter, the songs, the friends, the love, and the dance you will remember.

I know you've heard those lines before but have you ever done it? Have you decided yet, to be 100% loyal to yourself, your partner, your friends, and your dreams? Did you take that first step towards your New Year's resolutions in January, like I did? Is your anger and frustration evident on a daily basis at work, home, or school? Are you still trying to find out what you're really good at and what will truly make you happy? I'm not. I already know. How many of us can truly say the same - and mean it? I don't know everything, no one does; but I know me and that makes me happy.

Please remember 911 as the day America took a deep breath, inhaled the evil of this world, and let it OUT in one united, exasperating sigh. Where we all looked the same, covered in ash. When we all grieved for our country's loss and cried, Together. Remember that we survived it together. When we made It Work! I urge you to remember HOW IT WORKED...WITH US WORKING TOGETHER. So, for all those whose lives were affected by September 9, 2001, God's Blessings and Strength Be Yours!

Forever and Always,
-Elisa Me!