Where Were You?

09/11/2001
I was working for a company in Mequon as a Billing Clerk.  I usually started work around 7:30.  I always had the radio on 94.5 WKTI (which is no longer).  I heard Miller state the bad news and I immediately was chilled and froze.  I don't think I believed my ears.  As they kept saying what was happening, I called my parents.  They were on vacation in Michigan.  I asked my mom if they heard what happened.  She said they were stopped on the side of the road listening to the radio.  We talked about if we were all ok.  I asked about my brother, who at the time was living at home with my parents.  He was around somewhere, but I don't remember if I called him or not.  It was all very surreal.  They guy I happen to be dating worked at the same company.  He got in a little later that day and was in one of his moods - he had many.  As I approached him, I knew immediately he would not provide the comfort I needed and expected.  Many of us sat in the lunch room and watched the footage.  We were all in shock.  Everyone knew someone in that part of the nation at that time.  I did not.  I thought I could thank my lucky stars, but I couldn't.  Someone attacked the country I hold so dear.  I don't remember much of the rest of the day.  I'm sure we eventually went about our day.  I remember later that night sitting with my roommate and her boyfriend watching the news in disbelief.  We waited for the President to speak. We waited for someone to piece it together.  Sometimes I think we still don't have it pieced together. 

I remember that morning like it was yesterday.  It's hard to believe just 2 months later, I would meet the man who became my husband.  When I think about that time and how it has passed, I remember how lucky we are to live in this country.  Every year, I think about where I was and how it felt then and feels now.  As I watched a bit of MSNBC this morning, I realized that the feelings are still raw.

May those who lost their lives that day rest in peace.  May those who kept their lives that day live in peace.