Where were you?

 

Every year we all share where we were, who we were with and what we remember. Things and people I would have otherwise forgotten are remembered each year on the anniversary. I was at a school I only attended for 8 weeks, yet I remember the walk from 2nd to 3rd period like it was yesterday. We were outside in gym class, so I heard about it afterward. My friend Lauren Tuitt, who I haven't spoken to pretty much since then, came up to me in the hallway and told me. I thought she was kidding. No one really seemed to know what was going on when I got to 3rd period. That was Chemistry class. With Mr. Kennedy, who later got fired for his actions during that class. We had turned on the TV before he came in to see what was happening. We saw enough to know it was real, and it was terrifying. We saw the tower start to fall. And then the teacher came in and turned off the TV. He chastised us for caring what was happening. Told us it didn't concern us. He the proceeded to lead a prayer. His class was the only class that this was not common- it was a catholic school. However, rather than praying for the victims or for our country, he prayed for us. That we would realize how insignificant this event was, and that we would stop worrying about things that did not matter. Still to this day I am filled with fire when I think about his prayer. How dare he.

 

Because of that, I didn't learn anything until lunch. After chem class was religion, and we spent the whole period in silent prayer. They had made an announcement at the beginning of class dismissing anyone who's parents worked there, surprisingly there were quite a few people directly affected. Then at lunch we watched channel 1 news. I don't even think I ate. I don't remember anything else until I got home that day. MTV was on- I must have left the TV on when I left for school. "I'm Real" was playing. And in the corner where there's normally some annoying kid doing a shout out over the song was a thumbnail picture of the towers falling and the rubble. I must have watched the footage a thousand times. Then they decided it was too graphic to show on TV.

 

I hate remembering that day. I can't believe it was 11 years ago. I hope my daughter never has to experience anything like I did that day, or any tragedy even remotely similar. Instead of remembering where I was, I want to remember those we lost. I want to remember the heroes of that day. Even the brief moment where I found President Bush inspiring.