Comments on: Escapism or Hope?

By: Jen

Jen — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 14:49:32 +0000

Maureen, I’ve never seen this articulated before, “It was almost as if we felt as though weâ€™d be betraying everyone in NYC if we turned it off.” That was it! It was our only way of “being there” at least in spirit. I am so glad you said that.

All these stories have been wonderful and amazing. Thank you all for sharing.

By: Maureen

Maureen — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 01:30:50 +0000

Jen,

I loved reading everyone’s stories and know that we’ll all be sharing them for the rest of our lives. What really changed for me that morning was the (I suppose in retrospect) silly notion that we were somehow removed from the hideous terrorism that stalked the rest of the world.

Amy Fetzer called me that morning from back east and told me to turn on the television-since she knows I never turn it on during the day. I tuned in just in time to watch the second plane hit. And just thinking about it brings back the surreal feel to that day.

For the next week, my family and I kept the TV on almost around the clock. It was almost as if we felt as though we’d be betraying everyone in NYC if we turned it off. The feeling of helplessness was overwhelming.

But as I watched American flags popping up all over my town, saw kids scrawling GO USA on walls in chalk and saw hundreds of people lining up to donate blood and clothes and their time, I realized that no terrorist could ever really sink us. As a country, we may fight amongst ourselves–but when we’re attacked by an outsider, we only get stronger………

By: Jen

Jen — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 14:58:27 +0000

Allison, I sent my kids to school too. My oldest son drove, so I told him he had my permission to leave with his brother that was also in high school if he needed too. Plus at that age (high school and middle school) being with their friends is good for them.

Being a parent in a time like 9/11 is a singular challenge.

Thanks for liking the line

By: Allison

Allison — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 05:37:32 +0000

I turned on the news because that’s what we used to do in the morning while getting ready for work. One building had been hit. We thought for sure it was an accident . . . then the other building was hit. Dan and I were glued to the television. I didn’t want to take the kids to school, but I did and was glad that I did because I think it helped them have normalcy (the school had a schoolwide age-appropriate assembly to talk about what happened and pray.)

I also had a young son at the time who was 4 months old. I thought about family and how anything could happen at any time to anyone I loved. Tragedy brings people closer and makes us realize what’s really important in our lives. Family and the every-day, quiet happiness is what really matters.

Jen, I loved your line: “it takes a soul brimming with imagination and hope to accomplish those things.” That’s what makes America work. We are innovative, we persevere, we survive. It’s who we are. Technology exists because someone imagined it. Someone asked “what if . . . ” From the wheel to the automobile to the airplane to computers, everything started because of a need and someone’s imagination.

By: Jen

Jen — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 01:38:10 +0000

Dru Ann, how surreal that you could see the twin towers from you apartment building. I’m so sorry about the person you lost, but glad your newphew turned up safe.

By: Dru Ann

Dru Ann — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 01:01:19 +0000

I remember the day because it began with me looking at the Twin Towers from my apartment window before heading out and ended with seeing the smoke billowing in it’s place. I knew one person who didn’t come home and that makes me sad. But I am grateful that my missing nephew was found, safe from harm. What I remember is the uncertainity of what was happening but the unity and spirit of all the people who came together. 9/11 showed America at it’s best.

As for media, I don’t watch as much news as I use to..it’s been taken up by reading.

By: Jen

Jen — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 22:55:13 +0000

Ah Karin, I was proud of American too. But what I was, and am, most proud of are all the ordinary people who stepped up to be heroes. That is something that doesn’t belong to a county but to humanity.

By: Karin

Karin — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 22:50:22 +0000

I was getting the kids up for school and my daughter’s boyfriend at the time called and told us to turn on the television. We all sat there on the edge of the bed watching in shock and horror. That entire week is a blur to me, and sitting here thinking about it now brings me to tears. It also has reminded me how proud I am to be an American.

By: Jen

Jen — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 22:47:22 +0000

Amanda, hope is an amazingly resilient. I imagine part of you knew it had to be bad to rattle your husband since his job is police work.

Romblogreader, you made great points on the value of getting hope or joy from entertaiment when the world feels out of control.

Joyce, being so close to where Flight 93 went down gives you a unique perspective. Thanks for sharing.

Natalie, I’ll go look at your blog. Contact with friends and loved ones was so very important that day.

By: Natalie

Natalie — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 20:40:18 +0000

I blogged on this on my personal blog, too. It was so normal. There was NOTHING different about that day, nothing, until the world turned upside down, and could never be righted.

I watched the television ALL day. I alternated between that and emailing and IMing friends, calling people I knew, and crying.

I’ll never forget it.