... I didn't forget.Seven years ago, I was asleep in the upstairs loft of my parents place. I had just graduated high school a few months before and was sleeping in late until I had to work my shift at the movie theatre later that day. There was a knock on the door, then it opened. "Jeramy, wake up," it was my mother.
"What is it, mom?"
"Hun, you need to turn on your TV. Planes just flew into the World Trade Center."
"Hmmph. Okay." I started to roll out of bed as my mom closed the door. What the hell is the World Trade Center? I thought.
By the end of the day, I knew.
***
That day, I saw my father cry, after the realization struck that 9-11 was 911. My dad to me is a stoic guy, I'd never seen him cry before. As my family sat around the TV that evening, watching CNN, and the estimate of FDNY firemen lost went to over 300, I couldn't hold it in anymore. I sobbed, shoulders shaking and tears streaming my face. Dad got up from his chair, set a hand on my shoulder and said to me, "son, it's okay. We've all got to be strong, okay?"
***
Today, I didn't forget. Never once have I forgotten, not the 343 firefighters, 23 NYPD officers, 37 NY Port Authority Officers, and K9 Sirius, 8 private EMS workers, and the 2,564 civilians and military personnel killed at the Towers and the Pentagon.
I have to say how proud I am of my fellow blogging community for the 9/11 tributes that I've read today, they have truly lifted my heart.
Everyone, take care today and keep those that were lost in your hearts and thoughts.
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2 comments:
Thank you so much for sharing your story...
And even more... Thank you for remembering the 23 NYPD, the 37 PA Officers the K9, and the 8 Private EMS employees when I was careless enough to leave them out of my post.
I remember where I was too when I heard: study hall in high school my freshman year. My first thought was also "What's the World Trade Center?" Thanks for posting; you've just picked up a new reader.
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