It was a normal day for me just like every other morning. Getting a few things done around the house before I headed into my flower shop. Arrived at the shop, turned on the lights and prepared for the day. Turned on the TV to finish watching the morning news and just as I did I heard the announcer start to panic but doing his best to stay calm. At that point I was glued to the TV for the next few days. He stated that reports were coming in that one of the towers had been hit by a plane and just as he finished his sentence I noticed another plane heading to the other tower, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Both towers were now on fire from the impact. I continued to watch and for the next few minutes I don't think I moved, I was in shock, what was going on, was it Pearl Harbor all over again? Were we under attack? Were other cities going to be hit?
All Americans were in shock, some were afraid to leave their homes. Hospitals and federal building were put on lock down. As the day went on folks called the shop to talk about what they had seen on TV.
I was suppose to attend a design show in Louisville later that evening. Thomas called to see what my plans were. He said he believed it was safe to go, just keep him informed. I wasn't about to hide in my house afraid of what was to happen next. As an American I will not live in fear in my own country.
This past spring I was able to stand at the foot of both towers. The bus had to unload us three blocks away for security reasons. As we walked toward the entrance I could feel my emotions over take me. I was tearing up from the feelings that were coming over me. I could feel the presence of those who had lost their lives. I have tried to explain it to a few people and I just can't. As we approached the first tower I layed my hand on the names...all I could hear was the sound of the water. I rubbed my hand over the words.......Engine 82. I stood there and could no longer hold back my tears and I cried.
There were names of office workers, firemen, first responders, police men. Men, women from every walk of life. People just like me who woke up did what they needed to do that morning then headed to work just like every other day. Little did they know that when they closed the door to their home, they would never return. When they kissed their family good bye, it really was good bye. I walked over to the other tower and it was the same. Names, Ladder numbers, Engine numbers. I started to look up to the direction that the plane had come from and wondered if any of those working at their desk had seen the plane coming. I looked to the buildings that were around the towers. You could see where they had replaced bricks and made repairs. We made our way down to the church where ground zero workers would come to rest. This was also the place where folks put up posters and pictures of their loved one who were not accounted for.
Inside the church there were different memorials from pictures, necklaces, American flags to hand written notes. It was a very quite place, folks only whispered. The one thought that you were left with as you walked back to the bus.........never forget
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