This morning I realized it is 9/11/2026. It has been 25 years. I cannot believe it has been that long.
I had one of my busy days ahead. Cristina was now a student in Gainesville, Elena was on her second year at LaSalle High School, Paula was at Blessed Trinity Catholic School and Robert was at John I. Smith Elementary. I was going through everything I had to do every day before I went to work. Elena was already at school, Paula got her ride to Blessed Trinity with one of her school mates. Cristina was at Gainesville and that was all the specifics I knew at the time.
I had prepared breakfast or they had prepared breakfast, depending on how independent they were or which school they were attending. Robbie, I took to John I Smith elementary. Right before I left, I noticed something strange had happenned at the world trace center. I kind of wanted to stay home and become aware of what was going on. I decided to just go and take Robbie to school at John I Smith. I did not want him to be late. I quickly packed him into the car and drove over, it was only 4 blocks to the school. I did not say anything, I did not really suspect anything. On the way to school, my sister in law called me. She told me something was going on at the World Trade Center. A plane had hit the center. They did not know if it was on purpose or what. I did not tell Rob anything. He was only 7 years old. I rushed over to the school, dropped him off and then I hurried back home.
Upon my arrival at home I turned the television on. I saw a plane hit the tower, I thought it was a replay. It wasn't. It was the second plane. It was only now that I realized this was being done on purpose.
In time I heard about the other occurrences, the plane hitting the pentagon and the plane landing in a field in Pennsylvania. I find it amazing how much I do not remember from that day. I also find it amazing how little I remember. I do not think we took the kids out of school that day. This happenned on a Tuesday. I did not have class that day since I believe I was teaching a class that only met on MWF. Although I may have gone to school if only to be able to speak to people.
As I watched the coverage I kept thinking of the firefighters going into a building and not coming out; I thought of all that had died there and what it must be like working as first responder. I never seriously thought about being a first responder; I had my own job to do. By that I mean being an example to my children. When things like this, that is probably the most important job we have.
Although I will probably remember soon, I find it amazing how little I remember from that day. I remember talking to my kids about it, to my mom and in laws. I remember speakng to students about it also. I have always found that the more loudly pronounced the happennings are, the less you remember of what else was going on.
Be well my friends.
