story5343.xml

story5343.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

I was on my very first trip to London, a wish I had since a child. I left JFK on the 10th ... of course arrived in London that next morning 9-11-02. I always watch CNBC at home and did so then as I was unpacking ... Was this a movie ... No way for it was live TV and I saw that second plane fly into the second tower. I sat at the edge of my bed with some unpacked clothes in hand totally in shock, and I sat!...
In my mind remembering I had gone to several company meetings at the WTC ... and then my mind went to the people that still worked there. The next though was I was not coming home anytime soon... I stayed in my room and tried to reach my job and my old job where people I knew still work there. It was the third day before I could touch base with anyone ... of course I cried and was in fear of what will be left of NYC. Then the word of the other two crashes came across the news... This could not be happening, I must be in a dream ... but it was true. I resigned myself that I had better think about how long I would have to stay in London. When I did finally left my room and went out people had gather in front of appliance stores and folks were moving in a slow motion(I felt). The apologies came when people heard my American accent. The rest of my visit there was spent in prayer, at a chichi, a Buddhist temple, and at a peaceful dinner at a friends home ... every opportunity with meeting of these friends started and ended in a prayer for all of those that were lost.

I finally got home and I could not bear to look to WTC for I still did not want to admit it ... but I did and the tears came again ... and I prayed.
All the while I truly wonder why, for what, and how could they do this! Is it so bad to enjoy the freedom, religion, the right to enjoy ourselves in a decent way.
Today I listen to each and every name of each person that had died in this sad event. I knew none of them, but then I knew them, I shared in their pain and saddness ... and prayed for their healing... it will come but it will take a long time.

All they have done is touched every corner of the world ... and LOOK HOW WE STAND TOGETHER .... LOOK HOW STRONG WE ARE.... AND HOW MUCH STRONGER WE ARE BECOMING AS ONE!