Where Were You?

While indulging my Facebook addiction this morning, I read many stories answering the "Where Were You?" question that appeared for the 15th year on this date. I don't even need to give backstory here - 9/11 is synonymous with death, destruction, terror, and profound sadness.

On this day in 2001, I was a new mom to a colicky baby girl and living in the Boston area. My darling was 4 months old, and I had just gotten her down for a morning nap after being up for what seemed like days of nonstop screaming. I dragged my weary body to the couch with my morning cup of very strong coffee/cream/sugar to watch some of the Today Show, my one treat each morning. Expecting to see Al Roker up to some hijinx, Katie Couric looking peppy and perky, and Anne Curry attempting some serious broadcast journalism, I was shocked to see live footage of one of the twin towers after a plane flew into it. Like the rest of the country, I was captivated; glued to my television set as the horror unfolded. "It was a mistake," I thought. "The plane just went off track." Then, the second tower was hit. Then, the Pentagon. Then, a plane went down in Pennsylvania. Then, the towers collapsed along with our national security. At one point, I went into the shower and just cried. What would be hit next? How many would die? Who would do this?

That afternoon, I met up with some other moms of babies at a local waterfront park. We discussed and analyzed the events and how we knew this was a turning point; that our babies would grow up in a completely different world. The day was beautiful - clear, blue skies and warm. But quiet. Oh, so quiet. We found out that the planes had mostly flown out of Boston, and everyone knew someone who was either on one of those planes-cum-weapons or victim related to someone we knew. The terror hit so close. Our babies did what babies do, unaware of the world around them. They ate grass, cried for food, rolled about, and touched each other with wonder and joy. They'd never know the world before. No subsequent person born would, either. For my children, taking off their shoes and being practically strip-searched in an airport is the norm. Terrorism is commonly spoken of. They are always a little afraid.

I'll never forget where I was physically that day, or mentally. I doubt I'll ever again in my life watch such tragedy unfold, the truth of what's happening slowly dawning and breaking through the denial. The whole world stopped, broke, and started again in a completely different way. The terrorists took something from us all that day, and denied everyone born after that day the chance for a life "before 9/11", when every plane trip didn't engender just a little hesitation. I'd like everyone to take a moment today, as if you aren't already, to think about how just a few hours changed everything. And how since then, not much has changed at all.