September 11, 2001
Missouri
19 years old
Around 9:30 am
I woke up in my dorm room at MAC. Late for class of course. I had left the radio on that night for some reason (I didn't usually do that). I heard the station talking about what had happened. I don't remember what they said. But at that point I didn't care. I really didn't even listen to it. I figured it was just the news. No big deal. So I turn on a cd and start getting ready for what was left of my day. I walk up to the college. I've missed my first 2 classes but I knew all my friends would be hanging out waiting for the lunch hour to be over. I get up to our "spot" and there was a big screen tv on with the news talking something about New York. Actually in that moment I still don't remember paying attention to the news. I remember some comments being made by some of my friends. I don't remember exactly what they were. But at that point it still wasn't a big deal to me. I remember some classes being canceled. I guess that's when I realized that "something" was going on. I still didn't know what the big deal was though. I remember sitting with my friends watching the news on the big screen. I do not remember seeing any of the scenes that I see today, although I probably did. The next thing I remember was driving to my mom's house. It had to be in the late afternoon because my mom, step dad, and sister were home from work/school. On the way there I seen cars lined up at the 7-11. The gas prices were $4.00 a gallon. THAT was the moment that I realized this was something huge and it finally hit me that this was a big deal! I get to my mom's house and they had the news on. While watching it with them that's the point when I became kind of scared and worried. But still didn't know what was REALLY going on. I still figured "well that's in New York. It really doesn't have much to do with us.". I don't remember the exact day (it wasn't long after this) that I realized how much it DID effect us. I was at a friend of mine's dorm. I remember just finding out that he had to leave (I believe he was in the Reserves). I still remember watching him ironing his uniform and getting everything ready. The next night a bunch of our friends gathered outside the dorms to tell him goodbye. I had just found out that I was pregnant with my son. So I was a little emotional anyway. But that was a hard day. And that was when I realized what happened in New York was effecting everyone everywhere.
Looking back I feel stupid. On September 10th if you had asked me where the twin towers or the pentagon were or even WHAT the were, I would have had no idea. I was in college and I couldn't really have told you what "terrorism" was. I guess I didn't pay much attention in high school. Looking back I was so oblivious to what was happening. If something like this would happen now, I would be terrified. Because now I know what this is all about. Ten years ago I believe it was a blessing to be so oblivious about it all. With being very "freshly" pregnant and only 19, I know I would have freaked out. So on one hand I wish I would have realized what was happening but on the other hand I'm glad I didn't.
Today on the 10th anniversary I do know what happened and I can not imagine what these people who lost family and friends go through. Listening to their stories breaks my heart. I still can't watch the footage of the towers falling without tearing up.
So that's my story of where I was on 9/11. It's not some heroic moment or some huge time in my life but at least now I know what was really going on and what our troops are fighting for.
