Sept 11……..My StorY
One crisp, beautiful ……September morning.
New York City was quiet, but oh so very loud.
I was there as the blanket of dust and smoke, filling the air, covered my city, as “Ground Zero” , bit by bit, emerged from the wreckage.
I remove the mask from my face, fixing my eyes upon those who were trapped or had raced inside. Submerged , snowed under and now veiled beneath the drywall, parts of the planes, the concrete, the office supplies……..
…….another fireman was found today.
They hose me down at midnight, my ritual of departure, leaving Ground Zero, the horror and fear of the dirt, ash and soot that has rained down upon us like the poison of the evil-doers.
I listen achingly as my fellow Americans and families from nations throughout the world, tell me how they didn’t have time to sew up some deep wound and would give anything for “just one more chance.”
“Will they get it?”, they inquire from me.
The vulnerablitly and dread reaches its peak and I too, am forced to face my panic.
Everyone is always looking skyward. Some said you could even smell the hate in the air.
Wives, husbands, brothers, sisters.. begging me for the hope that their loved one is not dead.
I watch daily as our cherished homeland’s flag is draped upon, not a box that holds a little girl’s father, but what is left of his body……
I observe how as each day passes, with no life found, it begins to chip away at the shaky faith and belief his mother had, knocking her to her knees.
One day, the check finally comes due. They hesitatingly tell us.
We are now in a new “phase”:
search and recovery.
“What?!, his wife tormentingly asks……..no longer search and “rescue?”
I witness the firefighters making that helpless dive into the rubble despite it all.
Is there still a fighting chance..Did we miss someone…….
Exhaustion finally takes over. His head is hanging low, he takes a nap on a blanket I set out on the ground. I sit with him.
He wakes with a start, and wearily, he suits up…
This big, masculine fireman slowly rises to his feet, and says, “It was you who tucked me in..I could smell your perfume……I could feel your hair fall on my face……as I dreamed it was me caught in that ghastly place.
He softly tells me “Thank you, you do not realize what you did for me today.
I feel as though an angel tucked me in and allowed me to finally get out of my own little corner of hell and slip into such sorely needed sleep.”
A lump forms in my throat, I do not know what to say.
Is “time up?”. Is there a shelf life for grieving?
At times, when witnessing the skyline, the pain is unceasing..and I feel as though I am still holding my breath.
As for me, I can’t cry hard enough.
———————————————————————————
Dedicated to my husband, my chauffeur, without whom I could never have served my neighbors and fellow Americans…and to all the victims of Sept.11.
I know they are resting in Your Arms, Sweet Lord.
Sharing love and peace with my patriot friends at Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, The Virtuous Republic, Perri Nelson’s Website, Blog @ MoreWhat.com, Rosemary’s Thoughts, The Random Yak, 123beta, DeMediacratic Nation, Big Dog’s Weblog, Right Truth, The Uncooperative Radio Show! Aug. 07, 08 and 09, 2007, Nuke’s News & Views, Phastidio.net, Leaning Straight Up, The Bullwinkle Blog, , Conservative Cat, third world county, Walls of the City, The World According to Carl, Blue Star Chronicles, Pirate’s Cove, Gulf Coast Hurricane Tracker, CommonSenseAmerica, and High Desert Wanderer, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.
September 10th, 2007 at 9:32 pm
Never Forget…
On this anniversary of that awful day back in 2001, I still remember Mr. Christopher Colastani. And I always will. Forever……
September 10th, 2007 at 9:32 pm
Nice post Angel, are you doing a 2996 tribute?
September 10th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
Beautifully written, Angel. Thanks for sharing that.
September 10th, 2007 at 10:01 pm
Oh, Angel…thank you, thank you.
September 10th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
Awful day - but as stated in others - Beautiful post, Angel!
September 10th, 2007 at 10:33 pm
Moving words and images - an important post!
September 10th, 2007 at 10:42 pm
Beautiful piece of writing Angel. It brings to life, the horror and death of that day…I can only think of one special song that must have followed you around the “Pit” as you were their Angel of Comfort.
(courtesy Mr. James Taylor..as written by Ms.Carole King)
When youre down and troubled
And you need a helping hand
And nothing, whoa nothing is going right.
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest nights.
You just call out my name,
And you know whereever I am
Ill come running, oh yeah baby
To see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall,
All you have to do is call
And Ill be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Youve got a friend.
If the sky above you
Should turn dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind should begin to blow
Keep your head together and call my name out loud
And soon I will be knocking upon your door.
You just call out my name and you know where ever I am
Ill come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you got to do is call
And Ill be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Hey, aint it good to know that youve got a friend?
People can be so cold.
Theyll hurt you and desert you.
Well theyll take your soul if you let them.
Oh yeah, but dont you let them.
You just call out my name and you know wherever I am
Ill come running to see you again.
Oh babe, dont you know that,
Winter spring summer or fall,
Hey now, all youve got to do is call.
Lord, Ill be there, yes I will.
Youve got a friend.
Youve got a friend.
Aint it good to know youve got a friend.
Aint it good to know youve got a friend.
Youve got a friend.
September 10th, 2007 at 11:02 pm
You’re the best, Angel! Thanks for this post!
September 11th, 2007 at 12:18 am
In Memory of Lt Michael Warchola…
Lt. Michael Warchola was a hero. I’m not just throwing the term ‘hero’ out there because that’s what people are supposed to say about someone who was killed in the horrors of one of the longest days in American history. He real…
September 11th, 2007 at 1:34 am
I was working in a stock brokerage in Dallas that day and the images from TV will always haunt me. Many colleagues of mine in the industry were affected - either directly or indirectly.
Thank you for a very moving tribute.
September 11th, 2007 at 1:37 am
For whatever it is worth, I have posted the tribute to Touri Hamzavi Bolourchi which I originally created in 2006 as a participant in Project 2996.
September 11th, 2007 at 3:20 am
Angel
You are truly an angel!
!
September 11th, 2007 at 4:39 am
9/11: Moving Forward…
It was an ordinary Tuesday morning like this. On this date six years ago America was rudely awakened. The giant must not return to his slumber. This video is dedicated to everyone who has sacrificed for……
September 11th, 2007 at 4:41 am
Wow.
September 11th, 2007 at 5:26 am
there is no timetable on healing, no one can tell one when pain stops. No one can. You have a true soul
September 11th, 2007 at 5:53 am
Who is the enemy? Angel, you wrote:
“This big, masculine fireman slowly rises to his feet, and says, ‘It was you who tucked me in..I could smell your perfume’……I could feel your hair fall on my face……as I dreamed it was me caught in that ghastly place.”
The ones who did 9/11 are the same ones who would execute both you and that fireman for that involvement–for letting the human spirit of helping each other take precedence over the dry letter of the law.
And I’m not making that up. A few years ago, a girls’ school in Saudi Arabia went on fire and the firemen were prevented from rescuing the girls because of the rigid adherence to Islamic law. The girls were all burned alive. May HaShem settle the account with all those who promote this evil.
Let a year and its curses end, let a year and its blessings begin. (From the Jewish New Year blessings)
September 11th, 2007 at 7:10 am
There is no level of appropriate thanks for what you and the other rescuers did during those days that followed our invasion. I know of no greater sin one could commit as a real American than to forget. God bless you.
September 11th, 2007 at 7:39 am
As I sit here in my office this morning looking at the photos of that dreadful day. I don’t know why I do, I’ve seen them a hundred and one times before. . I guess it’s important for me to remember; particularly now as we remember this day. . I was born and raised in New York and I still live here today. I can remember those buildings being build,. and I can remember how empty I felt when I saw them fall. And how I felt when I saw those poor people jumping and falling to their deaths.
I will never forget 9/11. I will support Iraqi Freedom, not because I believe in war, but we can not succumb to terrorism. we must fight it like we fought every other enemy.
September 11th, 2007 at 8:16 am
Thank you for sharing! Thank you for caring! For those of us who were far away and could not be there to help at the time, I thank you!
September 11th, 2007 at 8:40 am
I had to make time to come see your 9/11 post, Angel. I knew it would be awesome and it is!
Angel, thank you for what you did for those of us who weren’t there and sat watching the television with sheer disabelief at first, and then understanding horror, and a feeling of complete helplessness because we were so far away. It was a horrible day and to those who have forgotten it I can only say that they bring utter shame upon themselves.
God bless you!
September 11th, 2007 at 9:12 am
I knew you’d have a beautiful 9/11 post, Angel…
September 11th, 2007 at 9:13 am
God Bless You , Angel
September 11th, 2007 at 9:48 am
I remember 9/11…the Fire Fighters!
Great post Angel! Keep up the Attack America! We will NEVER pull out from any commitments around the world…we will always stand for Freedom and Democracy around the world!!
FTGF!
September 11th, 2007 at 10:05 am
God Bless all who have lost someone/something in the name of freedom and God Bless those being beaten and arrested today trying to make a peaceful stand in Brussels…
September 11th, 2007 at 10:05 am
Angel. For those of us who were not in New York, not at ground zero, and who did not have family or friends there — I cannot say I understand what you feel. But know this, my heart, my love, my support, my prayers, … all are offered to you and all those in your situation.
There is not a day that goes by when I do not remember what happened on September 11, 2001.
Seeing the images again this morning, as I did on September 11, brings the same feelings of rage, sadness, pride. But I also wonder why we have not rebuilt those towers? Why do we let PC crap stand in the way of rebuilding what the terrorists destroyed?
September 11th, 2007 at 10:06 am
I won’t forget.
September 11th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Wherever you are today Angel, whether it be at the service or some other beautiful and meaningful commemoration, I am sure that you are serving your country and supporting its beauty and freedom! Way to go…. as always!
September 11th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
Day of the Murdering Swine…
Six years are today solemnly marked since formal war was declared on this nation by a cult of homocidal sub-human savages.
I am consumed, every single day that God allows my life to continue, by seething anger!…
September 11th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
I will never forget, and never forgive.
September 11th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
Beautifully said.
6 years ago today, my 10 year old son was 4 yrs old, he alerted me just after 6am that day (Arizona time) about the choo choo trains (burning towers) on the television. Like everyone else, the Mrs and I were absolutely stunned. He does not remember that day but he does now understand what we’re up against. At his school, they had firefighters talking with the kids and they also had one of his classmates and her family sing to the entire school “I’m Proud To Be An American”, the girl broke down halfway through the song but her Dad, Mom and brother finished the song, there wasn’t a dry eye on the school grounds.
Great post Angel. I can’t imagine what the victims, firefighters and everyone there in NYC went through that day.
September 11th, 2007 at 2:50 pm
This is really moving stuff…
Did you take these pictures?
I hope that no one ever forgets 9/11… I’ve only been to NYC once, and didn’t like it, but we were all New Yorkers that day.
September 11th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
just when i think i cannot make another tear…
very touching and appropriate tribute.
NEVER FORGET! NEVER!
September 11th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Hello Angel,
Every tear you cry, I cry with you.
I watched too that day, from Brooklyn. It is still very emotional for me. I lost a friend that day, but many lost even more. Can any of us even begin to imagine what it was like to stand at the top of the WTC burning like fury, and think of jumping to a certain death?
Forgetting is not an option.
I stand with the families of the victims who had to watch helplessly as their loved ones were brutally murdered by Islamic savage maniacs.
Urban Infidel
September 11th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Its a day that will live in infamy.
We should always remember those that lost their lives in this senseless crime.
The world will be full of many such attacks unless civilization unites against those who support such violence.
September 11th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
I will remember…and I will teach my children to remember .
September 11th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
[...] Woman Honor Thyself [...]
September 11th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
I have not even remotely stopped my grieving and anger.
Nor will I
Till every last person responsible is dead
September 11th, 2007 at 6:40 pm
Angel:
Magnífico!
There are people from other countries who also won’t never forget what happened that day.
September 11th, 2007 at 9:56 pm
Angel,
I used to work in the securities industry and lost more than a few friends 6 years ago today. Thank you. It was a solemn but joyous day of remembering my friends with thanks to your post.
PS…I am glad to be back in internet land and hope to be back soon. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
September 11th, 2007 at 10:35 pm
I truly shed a tear this morning as I lowered the Flag to hafl staff.
This is a remarkable day that I will never forget.
God Bless America!
10-4 Willy
September 12th, 2007 at 6:57 am
Jenn said:
September 11th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
I will never forget, and never forgive.
Nor should we Jenn………..
September 12th, 2007 at 7:17 am
I cannot imagine how difficult it must have been to do what you did… Reading it was hard enough!
God bless you, Angel.
September 12th, 2007 at 7:23 am
In Tribute To Touri Hamzavi Bolourchi…
Last year at this time I, along with thousands of other bloggers, devoted our blogs to the memories of the victims of the 9/11 attacks via Project 2996. Each blogger featured one of the victims and created their tribute in whatever fashion in which the…
September 12th, 2007 at 9:40 am
THANK YOU SWEET FRIENDS FOR THE BEAUTIFUL COMMENTS…….I WILL POST ALL ABOUT MY DAY YESTERDAY SOON AS I CAN!
September 12th, 2007 at 10:17 am
Thanks, Babe! Much needed. GOD Bless the victims and their loved ones.
September 12th, 2007 at 10:37 am
I know it couldn’t have been easy to share that with us. Thank you.
September 12th, 2007 at 10:56 am
You’re a wonder Angel…. Keep on doing what you do!
September 12th, 2007 at 11:27 am
Great post… I was watching some Youtube videos of the towers collapsing- really brings back how I felt that day.
September 12th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
Ditto to my friend Pela’s comments.
September 12th, 2007 at 11:01 pm
Came here via DaPoppins. What a moving, beautiful story. Thank you for sharing this with us.
September 13th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
Brought tears to my eyes Angel. Beautiful.
March 27th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
People should never forget this. Ever. You were a Godsend to those folks working “Ground Zero” that day. I was a regular college student in Houston, Texas the day it happened. I worked a part-time job interning as a graphic designer for a company whose majority of work came from a major U.S. Airline. Needless to say, my generous employers kept me on two weeks longer than necessary out of caring because they didn’t want to let anyone go and were worried that they would be forced to close their own doors due to the freeze enforced by the FAA. They were worried that their only major client would file bankruptcy and that outstanding debts would put the company under on top of the fact that everyone was grieving for what just took place. The next day I drove to the George R. Brown Convention center to give blood along with thousands of Houstonians. We all felt it our duty to “do something”, anything. I cannot begin to imagine the horrors you witnessed first hand. God bless you and keep you safe always. And thank you for your service at such an awful period in our country’s history.
October 11th, 2009 at 4:08 am
[...] Angel shares her story. [...]