On this the 10 year anniversary of September 11, I am still deeply moved by all the televised memorials of the events of that tragic day.
While time has allowed Americans to move forward, this week when I stopped in front of AT&T Park where a make shift memorial listing all the people who had lost their life on that day I found myself instantly welling up with tears.
I found Ron Gamboa's name, who I knew from work, along with his partner Dan and their son David on the front banner that had all the people who were on United Airlines Flight 175 which was the second plane to strike the World Trade Center.
I was taken instantly back to that morning. I was up getting ready to for work when the radio station I was listening to said that there was a plane crash in New York. I turned on the TV and watched the events of that morning unfold live on the air.
I watched the plane Ron was on hit the Tower.
I watched the two Towers collapse.
And then I had to drive to work.
By the time I got to work the Company had made the decision to stay closed that day.
It wasn't until several days later that I learned that Ron and his family had been on Flight 175.
As the Nation mourned it was actually Ron, Dan and David's memorial service that brought a piece of light back into those dark days. The church was filled with so much love it was definitely a catalyst in helping me to move forward in those first weeks of uncertainty.
I found this lovely tribute to Ron, Dan and David that was written a few years back.
Today, take a moment to remember all those who lost their life on 9/11.
The Song Of The Day - I Can't See New York by Tori Amos (This song is from the album Scarlet's Walk which was a sonic novel about Tori's alter ego Scarlet and her tour of America post 9/11)
I had the 10-7 shift that day but I, too, awoke to the sound of Tom Brokaw on the radio, instead of the usual morning duo. I listened for a few minutes before jumping out of bed to turn on the TV. It was close to 8am in CA and both towers had already fallen. I woke up my roommate Stephanie, as I remembered her brother-in-law was in NY on business. We watched CNN in disbelief.
ReplyDeleteI remember calling you at work and you told me it was business as usual at that point. So I showered, got dressed and drove to Santa Barbara, listening to the news on the 30 minute drive. When I got to the store, you, Amy and Courtley were the only ones there. At that time, the decision was made for the entire outdoor plaza to be closed, including Gap. The four of us talked for about 15 minutes and then we all headed back to our homes to watch the news coverage.
If I wasn't at work the rest of the week, I was glued to the television. I remember watching TV Friday night with Steph and we were in tears looking at all the 'missing' flyers and we looked at each other and had to turn it off. We were far from NY but we just felt like we couldn't watch anymore - it was too much and too sad. I couldn't help but think if it was too much for me, imagine what the people of NY was going through.
Such a sad day and still so hard to believe it happened at all.
Thank you for sharing Erin.
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