Life Goes On

September 17, 2001

Some days can be so awful that you do not even want to make yourself get out of bed. From the moment you wake up, you just know that it is going to be a bad day. Other mornings start off like they normally do, but they quickly spiral into a bad day. Tuesday, September 11, 2001 was one of those days that I would have felt better just staying in bed. Tuesday was truly a tragic day that will go down in the history of the United States. Tuesday started out like any regular school day for me, but it quickly transpired into one of great sadness for our nation.

I am an aide in the office during first hour. Last Tuesday I was in the middle of my normal routine. Stephanie Hurlock and I were putting away the mail when Lisa Ferguson came out of her office and said that an airplane had crashed into the World Trade Center. She turned on the television and we all stared at the scene. I thought that it was a terrible accident. Then we watched in horror as the second airplane hit the other building. Then we knew that it was not an accident. I rushed to deliver some mail that went to the Superintendent’s office. When I got back, I heard that something had happened at the Pentagon. I watched the news during homeroom and my second hour class. I saw the twin towers collapse, and I felt like crying.

On Tuesday I went through several different emotions. First, I was just shocked and scared at what was happening in New York and Washington, D.C. I was also scared about what would happen to our nation. If people began to panic, then there could be all kinds of problems.

Next, I was saddened to think of all the people that had been killed. I could not believe what was happening. There were thousands of people in the buildings and my heart ached for them. Then I thought about their families and friends. I realized that they were probably very worried and scared about them. Then I was angry that people could do something so awful and horrific. I was also angry that the terrorists walked onto American airplanes, hijacked four, and killed hundreds, maybe even thousands, of innocent people for no rational reason. I had always believed that we lived in a safe country, but after the attack on America, I felt like my freedom and right to feel safe had been violated. I could not stop watching the news because I wanted to know if something new was happening.

After watching everything on the news, it made me realize how insignificant my problems really are. Everything that I had been stressed out about before the terrorist attacks seemed so stupid. I feel selfish even admitting it, but I wondered what would happen to our senior trip. Now, all I can think about is the friends and families of the victims. I cannot even begin to imagine what they have been through in the past week.

Now, nearly a week after the tragedy’s occurrence, I am still deeply saddened. I am also very proud of our country. The United States could have easily fallen apart, but instead it pulled together in its time of need. Even if I had just stayed in bed last Tuesday, it would not have mattered because this tragedy would have occurred no matter what. Life will continue to go on even if you stay in bed.

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