SingleWorkingMama

Eight years later, as I watch the news coverage and memorials of September 11, 2001, it seems like that very day.

For much of my life, I’d had nightmares about planes flying into buildings, and when my friend Amy and I were traveling to Illinois for a consulting assignment one summer, I’d always talk about it when we’d go by O’Hare.

I was sleeping when I got the call from Amy. “Heidi! Your nightmare came true! A plane hit the World Trade Center!” I sat up, stunned, and turned on the television. That was before anyone really realized we were under attack.

I remember the feeling of helplessness that day. The fear of the unknown as one by one, three additional planes went down, and as the towers fell.

I remember the news reporters, doing their best to cover the unimaginable.

I remember people in business attire, covered with soot, stammering through New York in shock.

I remember seeing the look on the president’s face when Andy Card whispered into his ear “America is under attack,” as he read to small children.

I remember that my Dad was in St. Louis and I just wanted him back at home.

I remember hearing that people were leaping out of the buildings, and I remember the first time I saw photos of that, and thinking how horrible it had to be to choose that fate.

I remember my friends Alan and Cornelia, who lived in Washington D.C. at the time, and trying desperately to reach them. I remember the feeling of relief when I learned they were okay.

I remember learning that one of the victims in the WTC was the daughter of my very first boss (The owner of Peter Piper’s Pancake House), Gordy Habermann. Andrea was on her very first business trip that day.

I remember feeling hopeful, as here and there a survivor would be pulled from the wreckage, and the day it was apparent no more survivors would be found.

Sadness, confusion and anger followed, as I started to understand the impossible concept that other human beings would want to kill us. For as long as I’ve understood the concept of terrorism, I wasn’t prepared to have it so close to home.

I’ll never forget Tony Snow, who at the time was a Fox News anchor. He wrote a tribute that he read on the air, and he broke down in tears. I remember sort of realizing that news anchors are people too.

So, today I remember it all, and thank the heroes who helped that day, after that day, and still today by protecting our freedom.

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