This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Where were you when...?

The significance of September 11, 2011 for a West County mom.

If you are my generation, the question of "where were you when 9/11 happened" comes up often.  For my parents' generation, it was "where were you when JFK was shot?" For this next generation, I can only hope it is something along the lines of "where were you when that meteor in the sky turned out to be a giant ice cream cone and we all ate chocolate chip ice cream for a month?"

9/11 holds a strong place in my life.  My husband was in Manhattan that day.  One month prior, he went to New York on business and I got to accompany him.  All of his meetings were in the World Trade Center.  

The morning of September 11, 2001, I was home with my 4 month old daughter and almost 3 year old son.  We were having a normal morning of "Barney" and play-time when the phone rang.  It was my father-in-law.

Find out what's happening in Chesterfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Have you talked to Andy?" he asked.

"Yes," I replied, "last night." 

Find out what's happening in Chesterfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"No! Have you talked to him today?"  I wasn't used to my father-in-law being so serious about this...it was a little scary.  "Aren't you watching the news," he asked.

"Larry, I have 2 small children...I'm watching 'Barney.'"

"TURN ON CNN!"

Just as I did, they were showing the second plane hitting the other tower.  The rest of the morning was a whirlwind of emotions and trying not to freak out my children.

I called my husband's secretary, who was pretty sure he wasn't in meetings at the World Trade Center, but wasn't completely positive.  I tried his cell phone, which wouldn't go through.  I cried. I cursed, a lot, under my breath. I worried.

I got a number of phone calls that morning. I mostly remember hanging up on people because I didn't have answers for them, nor did I really want to hear people worry for me or with me. My mother called and asked what she could do. I believe my response was something along the lines of "bring him the *&^%$% home!" About 10 minutes later, she showed up at my house and took the kids to the basement to play. My mother was a rockstar that day (and every day for that matter).

I continued to watch the news, mostly the "Today Show," and didn't stop watching for a number of days. I don't remember shielding my children from the news, but was pretty sure they were young enough to not understand.

About 2 1/2 hours into my stressed-out ordeal, the phone rang. It was my husband. RELIEF! He had been in meetings in mid-town Manhattan and couldn't call because none of the phone lines were working. He finally found an old-style fax machine with a receiver on it and it had a dial tone. I cried when I heard his voice!

The rest of the day was a blur. I know that I had an IEP meeting with teachers from my son's pre-school. I don't remember what we discussed.

Two days later, after getting to Philadelphia and renting a car there, my husband arrived home, safe and sound. I hugged him and wouldn't let go. I knew how amazingly lucky I was.

Now, as I look at the footage and images and listen to the stories, I feel sick to my stomach. The sadness that emerged from that day is immeasurable. I know many people who were touched in one way or another by the devastation. I find that I can only watch or listen for a few minutes before the tears start to fall and the memories come screaming back into my head.

If anything, my experience taught me that I am truly lucky!

Now, if only we could have an ice cream filled meteor, my life would be perfect!

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Chesterfield