Today is September 11. In the U.S. it is a day to stop and think about what matters.
I hadn’t planned to write about this today, but as I was beginning a short “Stop and Remember” post on Facebook, I started remembering that day.
We had just moved into our first house and I was pregnant with our first child.
On September 10th, I had traveled 2.5 hours to see my my obstetrician in the city where I grew up. I hadn’t found a new doctor in our new town yet. I spent the night with my mother.
On Tuesday, the 11th, we were enjoying leisurely conversation on a leisurely morning. Then my sister-in-law called. She asked if we were watching the news. A plane had just flown into a building in New York.
Her husband (my brother) was in New York for business. She couldn’t get him on the phone.
We turned on the news and began watching as the day’s events unfolded. Washington D.C. soon became an apparent target as well. That was where my father was. He was in meetings across the street from the White House, and was supposed to fly home that day.
Obviously, I was very concerned about my father and my brother. My mother and sister-in-law were waiting by their phones to hear from them.
But I needed to get home.
I needed to be home.
It became my singular focus, and I clearly remember the feeling of desperation as I drove.
Thankfully, my brother and my dad were safe. My brother watched the towers fall from the window of the building where he was working. He’s actually listed as a survivor. My father was evacuated and had the sense to get on the Metro and ride to the end of the line, somewhere in Virginia.
Neither one came home for a while since planes weren’t allowed to fly. My brother stayed in NYC and got what he needed from the few mom and pop grocers that stayed open. My dad washed out his undies in a hotel sink because he had only packed for a short trip.
I got home safely. And prayed and waited for my family to get home safely as well.
Remembering this day helps me remember the importance of home.
Home is where you want to be when the world gets crazy. When “the world” doesn’t make sense.
That’s my whole goal in this deslobification process. Make my home a safe place for my family. Make it the place where we all want to be.
--Nony
Oh, that we could each slow down the craziness just a little. That we could always keep our priorities in check. That each of us could have our homes a safe tranquil sanctuary. One that all of family would enjoy and relax and feel safe in.
So thankful that your family was all safe.
Really well written! Thank you.
What a beautifully written memory. I know most of it had to have been awful for you to live through (and I’m so glad your father and brother were okay!), but I know what you mean about needing to be home. Even at its worst, when I feel the need for comfort, safety, or even just good rest…home is where I want to be.
This is so true. I want and NEED to get my home to that status. A peaceful place where we all want to be. Slowly but surely we’ll get there.
A gripping post Nony. Thank you for writing it.
I just came across this post….I remember that day so horribly well too. My twins turned 12 that day and I spent the whole day getting ready for them to bring their friends home for a little party after school. They got off the bus at our house talking about planes that flew into buildings and the buildings fell down. I told them we were celebrating that afternoon and we would talk about it later…..to this day, I still cannot re-watch the video clips of the moment of impact or the towers falling. It is excruciating and terrifying to me that anyone, anywhere, would want to cause so much carnage. I still try to make that day about one of the best things that ever happened to me: becoming the mother of my wonderful twins, but sadly it will never be the same after 2001.
Still catching up to “real time” on your blog. Have loved so many of your posts but for some reason, this post is my FAVORITE so far. Your last few lines really spoke to me…never knew how to put it into words but you said it perfectly and I couldn’t agree more!
Home is where you want to be when the world gets crazy. When “the world” doesn’t make sense.
That’s my whole goal in this deslobification process. Make my home a safe place for my family. Make it the place where we all want to be.