Our Country Changed Forever.....

Like many, I will never forget this horrific day when our country was attacked. It was early morning and I was sitting at my desk in the law firm where I was working at the time. Becky, our daughter, called me from Madison to tell me that a plane had hit one of the twin towers. She was watching it on T.V. and while we were talking, trying to comprehend what had just happened....."Oh my God", Becky cried "Another plane just hit the other tower." I have to admit, I didn't know that there were these tall, tall buildings in New York; I had never been there, but the thought of a planes hitting them terrified me and shook me to the core. It was the beginning of a normal work day. Those buildings were full of thousands of people not knowing what was about to happen to them; working at their desks, riding in the elevators, having their first cup of coffee of the day, chatting with friends. I cannot imagine what went through their minds when they realized they needed to fight for their lives or realized that there was not even a chance of doing it. How many last cell phone calls were made to loved ones or calling for help. And then the towers collapsed......

As the days passed after September 11th and more information became known about this unbelievable day, I finally had to stop watching or listening to the news. I think like many, it took a while for my mind to wrap around what had happened. About 4 days later, it really hit me and I just started crying. Crying for those people who got murdered, crying for the families left behind, crying for the fire fighters that were lost in this senseless attack while doing what they do; trying to save people. I think what also hit me is the safety of our country had been shattered. And, that was hard to comprehend and accept.

Even though I stopped watching most of the news and T.V. specials that we were constantly being aired, I felt that I had to do something. Even though I could not directly deal with it at that time, I decided to create a time capsule of anything I could get my hands on. My plan was to open it up at a later time when I might be able to handle it better. I collected newspapers, magazines, hard cover books, photos, a copy of the tape I made of a T.V. special.....actually, I don't really remember what's all in it but there has to be a lot because it it very heavy (a plastic storage bin). My plan was to open it up on the fifth anniversary....never happened. Then I thought, ok, I'll open it up on the tenth anniversary. Again, it stayed taped up. When we moved from Milwaukee to here in Tennessee, it came along and is stored away in a closet. Will I ever open it up.....I can't say. I've thought about inquiring with our local library to see if they might want it. I mean, it IS history. Then again, maybe I won't.

Maybe when my grandchildren are older and learning about it when studying history in school, I'll drag it out for them to go through and maybe bring what they are learning closer to them. But for now, it remains unopened 12 years later. And, maybe for many years to come when September 11th comes around again. Just don't know.......