I am a news junkie. Some of that comes from working at a newspaper for 9 years. During that time 9/11 happened.
It was the one morning that I did not turn on the TV and walked into work blind to what was happening. I remember not even turning on the radio and driving to work, it was a short drive, less then 5 minute and just driving in silence. Little did I know what was going on. Dear sweet Peggy who was my admin at the time was ashen when I walked in. I remember looking at her and saying what is wrong. She dragged me into the conference room and we watched. We even saw the second plane hit. Tears, tears streamed down out faces.
We were called to the newsroom. The unedited pictures coming in were incredible. I remember saying it is so bad people are jumping to escape. more tears. We were given an hours to do what was needed at home because we did not know how long were were going to be at work. I remember calling the mother in law, who lived with us at the time and told her, put the babies in the car, she watched my girlfriends baby too, get gas, fill the car. I am going to the store I will be home. She asked, I took the oldest to school, what do I do? I told her to leave her there and if she had to walk to get her, it would be ok. I remember calling husband and being so grateful that even though her was an hour and half away that day he was in the state and NOT traveling. I was so grateful. I went to the store, loaded up, milk, eggs, bread, juice, cheese and anything else that made it into the basket. I remember bringing it in and mother in law gasping, I said I have no idea what is going on but we will have food. I changed my shoes and grabbed clothes and went back to work. Peggy was still there. I told her, you will stay with me and tell your daughter to come over if she needed to. I don’t think I made it home until after midnight that night. I remember going to help on the presses, going to the newsroom and even selling newspapers out in the city.
I just knew my heart was broken and it was going to be days before I could even make myself turn off the news.
I got involved with a blogger project at the 5 year anniversary. Every person was to have a blog post. I remember the name I was first given and I researched like mad. She was killed at the Pentagon. Then the call came, please take another one. He was at the World Trade Center. My heart hurt, they had children, families and friends. Those names are written on my heart.
This year was not different, I watched every show I could find, I learned new things, my heart hurt a little less but the hurt will always be there.
