Remembering 9/11
Many of us, who are old
enough, remember exactly where we were 22 years ago.
I was working as a Psychologist in two elementary schools in Rochester, NY. I remember which office I was in, where I was standing, and the exact moment my colleague came in and said that we were being bombed. I didn't hear any noise and I couldn't comprehend what she was
saying. It just didn't make sense.
Then the TVs were turned on.
I was lucky. I had access to a phone and was not in front of a classroom at the time so I could make calls.
I was able to contact my sister. I was worried
about a brother-in-law who I knew would be riding a train into NYC for work that morning. He was safe. His train stopped before it got all the way in.
I immediately called my husband because his brother was serving in the military and I was worried about him, too. He was safe. Protecting our country, and even our president at some later point during that day.
I was worried about my cousins who were flying from NY back to their homes after visiting family that weekend. They were safe. Their airplanes grounded in random spots along their routes.
But watching the TV footage over and over that day and evening. We knew many were not safe. Family members, friends, colleagues. It was unreal.
The confusion and fear that happened in that elementary school that morning was quickly followed up by amazing teachers and staff who remained calm while their students were being picked up left and right by parents. They carried on as best they could with smiles on their faces, keeping everything as normal as possible for their students.
Over the next few weeks, I spent a lot of time on the phone and meeting with parents. We talked about how to talk to your children when you have no idea what is going on. How to remain calm on the outside when you might be freaking out on the inside. What to say, what to do, and how to keep your children safe.
I still have that information (and more updated information) and am happy to share it with you if you have questions.
One thing that really struck me after 9/11
was watching and learning about
the heroism and kindness of Americans.
The first responders who risked and lost their lives helping people. I was in awe.
And outside of Ground Zero, the Pentagon and the Field, there was kindness.
It didn't matter where you were from, what color your skin was, what political party you were fond of, what religion
you were, or what your social status was. Americans stepped up and helped each other in so many ways.
This year, as I feel all the emotions that happened over 20 years ago as if they were still raw, I'm hoping I can end those feelings by focusing on the
amazing acts of kindness of human beings.