I am sure all Americans are aware of what day it is. Do you remember where you were, this day 6 years ago? I do. I probably never will forget.
I was a senior in high school. When the towers were hit I was sitting in my AP Calculus class. We had no idea at the time what had happened. It seemed like a normal fall day. Class was over around 10:00 am and I went on to my next class, World Geography (talk about a cake class). When I entered the room, the TV was on and my teacher explained the World Trade Centers had been hit, along with the Pentagon. The first thought I had was "Oh my god, we are going to war." I sat down and just watched everything that was going on. It was the only time I can remember that television coverage has gone for so long without any kind of commercial interruption.
I remember seeing the second tower fall and just trying not to cry. You couldn't that the second one hit had already fallen because of all the smoke. I remember just being in shock. We spent the remainder of the class period talking about terrorism and watching TV.
The rest of the day was pretty much the same. We just sat with the lights off, watching the live coverage. I remember feeling numb with shock. I just wanted to cry and cry. I didn't personally know anyone that was directly involved in the attacks (IE victims, or family/friends of victims) but still felt the pain and devastation that I think all of America felt that day.
I remember after school I had to run an errand and as I drove through town I almost expected for the sky to fall. It was so odd. I had never before felt so much fear and uncertainty. The radio didn't even play songs, it just had reports from NY and personal stories of those who had survived.
I remember coming home and the majority of the cable channels were covering it as well, which seemed so weird. Everything seemed surreal. Like a bad dream. Like I would wake up the next day and everything was back to normal.
I still think about that day. I still think about how I felt, how America felt. But it is our spirit that drives us forward, that helps up move on from tragedy and through the pain. Life is different six years later, but as long as we don't forget I think we are stronger for it.
