In 2001, I was working as a waitress in downtown Chicago.
I remember seeing the planes crash… over and over… and over.
I remember the high rises being evacuated, and businesses closing.
I remember the talks of Chicago perhaps being hit.
I remember my boss declaring that we would remain open because people would need a place to go. I have no way of knowing if he was simply seizing a revenue opportunity, or speaking from his heart… or both.
The subways were overflowing, and people couldn’t get home. There were hundreds and hundreds of people… just stuck downtown…
I remember being pissed off that I couldn’t just sit down and call, email, or frantically text the many friends I had in Manhattan and was poor at keeping in touch with.
I remember the disbelief.
I remember the numbness.
I remember the oddness of everyone holding a beer.
The restaurant was crowded from front to back – standing room only. Everyone was gathered around the many televisions…
so many people…
yet so quiet.
I remember actually feeling the weight of the numbers 9 1 1 change forever in our collective consciousness.
I remember one woman sobbing. She said she wasn’t hungry. She said she couldn’t get in touch with him. She said her shoe was broken.
She openly sobbed.
I remember feeling helpless.
I didn’t ask her name.
I didn’t ask who she was talking about.
I held her hand.
And even though she didn’t order it…
I got her a beer.
PS- I don’t normally do link ups, but if you’ve written words on September 11th please add your link below. I lost no loved ones, and I inhaled no ash. I feel my words are small today so please feel free to visit others or add your own.
*****
I had no connection whatsoever to this day… until I realized that I did.
Lady Estrogen recently posted..I’m Not Special
Even so far away, I felt the impact of that day. I didn’t lose anyone either, but I know people who did. Even so far away, people around me walked around in a daze for weeks after, still trying to comprehend the events.
Alison@Mama Wants This recently posted..A Little Tipsy
I’m sure that you just being there for that woman made a different…whether either of you knew it.
Rebecca @ Unexplained X2 recently posted..Snippets
Somewhere, that woman may be writing/sharing her story of that day in which YOU made a difference to her. It is the small things we do that can have a big impact. Wherever she is, I am sure she is thankful you were there for her.
Amy recently posted..Ten
I remember the deafening eerie silence. I can’t imagine being witness to someone’s heartbreak like that.
Angelia Sims recently posted..To the heroes, and to the perished. I remember you.
Sometimes, being present is all you can do. Sometimes, words aren’t enough. Thanks for giving others the opportunity to share
pamela recently posted..Remembering the Lessons of 9/11: Today AND Tomorrow
I feel that my words are small too. But I found that I had more feelings and memories from that day than I thought I would, when I sat down to write.
Tracie recently posted..I Had Never Heard of the World Trade Center
I love your post. Jenni, we were all changed that day. Perhaps you didn’t lose anyone that day but we all lost our innocence as a nation, our security and our safety. It changed all of our lives . Your words are not small they are mighty and this was your story. Thank you for sharing it with us. XO
Truthful Mommy recently posted..September 11, 2001~ The Day the World Stood Still
I feel that way, too. I decided a few weeks ago to look for my old diary and find my entry from that day to see what I had written. I was surprised how many details I had forgotten. I just copied that entry onto my blog for today’s post. My writing was far from earth-shattering, but it was just for me, so it’s very real. Thanks for hosting the link-up.
NotJustAnotherJennifer recently posted..10 Years Ago Today, America Was Attacked