I graduated high school in 2001. My graduation gift was a trip to New York City. I grew up in Connecticut but never really got the chance to visit New York and do all of the touristy things like visit Times Square or watch a Broadway show. So I finally got my wish in June 2001. We stayed in the Ameritania Hotel which was right above the David Letterman show studios. We visited the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, and of course, the World Trade Center.
I remember us walking towards the WTC, our feet hurting from walking so many blocks, but being amazed at the height of these buildings. I was a little nervous because anyone who knows me well knows that I am afraid of heights. It wasn't until we actually got in line to go up the elevator that I realized no one was allowed on the outside roof (I thought it would be similar to going to the top of the Empire State building). The man who guided us in the elevator was telling my parents about some salsa dancing event that occurs outside on the promenade at night. We flew up to the floor and I remember being so afraid to even go near the windows. I felt like I was going to faint. But eventually, I got over it and peered down at the city below. It was amazing.
Three months later and those towers were crumbling to the ground. I couldn't believe my eyes. It was my first semester in college and I had just left my apartment to go to my math lab. I hadn't heard anything on TV before leaving and everyone else was in class as usual. But I will never forget a male student in the corner saying, "The Twin Towers are gone." I was confused more than anything, hoping that he was wrong or playing some kind of sick joke. But he was right.
A few years after I had graduated college and was working full time, I went to a week-long crisis responder training. It was a tough week, and at the end of it all we had the chance to put our skills to practice. We simulated a group crisis intervention session (GCI) and our instructor had us sit in a circle and talk about where we were on 9/11/01. After about half the circle shared their story, the instructor told me to get up and lead the rest of the group. After a moment's panic and hesitation, I got up. I asked the next person to share their story and the woman goes on to share that she was actually in one of the Towers on the 17th floor when one of the planes struck. She goes on to share through her tears that she froze. She remembers someone helping her out of the building. After that, she says everything just moved in slow motion like a movie. I could not believe that this practice session had just turned into something very real - and I happened to be the guinea pig facilitator....So what do you say? What did I say?? I don't remember exactly but I said something to her and the group. All I remember is her coming up to me and giving me a hug. But really, she was the one that needed to be applauded. I can't imagine what she must have gone through. What she shared was very real and not sugar-coated at all. While there were many heroes in New York that day, she also experienced and lived through seeing people at their worst. Nobody can judge her reflections on that day. It was her experience and she was strong enough to share it with a group of people she had only known for about 35 hours at the point. I hope she is doing well and that she has some sort of peace of mind on this anniversary.
I remember 9/11 and always will. I will always think of those people who I had a quick interaction with on a bright and hot summer day in June 2001. I was just a high school graduate ready to move forward with my life, just wanting to visit a city that inspired me. A city that still inspires me to this day....
Rest in peace to all those that lost their lives on September 11, 2001. I love you New York City.
