Unthinkable
I wasn't going to write about 9/11 today. There a thousand memories and feelings that I don't want to have to face. Denial is a defense mechanism I lean on a lot.
Then I read what Hotwire had to say, and I knew I had to put something into words.
The cobwebs slowly cleared from his mind as the news on the radio told him that it was time to get up. He was glad to have the extra hour of sleep that came from having to take his car into the shop that morning.
Then he heard the words.
"...Two small planes have crashed into the World Trade Center. It appears to be deliberate..."
He jumped out of bed and ran to the spare room. For the first time, he was mad that he was to cheap to buy cable as the fuzzy picture of the towers came on the screen. Smoke was billowing from both buildings.
"Stacy, get in here." He called to his wife.
"What's the matter? Oh my God."
"This is huge. There is no way this is a accident."
They watched numbly as he thought about what to do. Should he let Stacy go to work? He figured that Lynnwood wasn't much of a target, so that would be OK.
"Don't believe anything you hear right away." He told her as she left. "There's going to be a bunch of rumors flying around. Wait until they know what's going on. I love you and I'll see you tonight."
He took one last look at the burning towers and went to take his shower. There sure was going to be a lot of talk at work today. He wondered if anybody would get anything done today.
After he got dressed, he went back to look at the TV. There was only one tower on the screen.
That is when the first tear came.
Some quick computations about how many people that building could hold gave him a number too horrific to think about. He sank down onto the couch and hugged his dog.
In an explosion of dust and smoke, the second tower started to fall.
"Oh my God. Oh my God." Tom Brokaw was saying.
The dog looked at him with that vacant happy expression so common with golden retrievers. Unconcerned with the world and only wanting to be scratched behind his ear.
"You are so lucky you aren't human today." He said to his companion through the sobs. "You are so lucky."
Thought for the day -
Make sure to let those you love know that you love them.
Then I read what Hotwire had to say, and I knew I had to put something into words.
The cobwebs slowly cleared from his mind as the news on the radio told him that it was time to get up. He was glad to have the extra hour of sleep that came from having to take his car into the shop that morning.
Then he heard the words.
"...Two small planes have crashed into the World Trade Center. It appears to be deliberate..."
He jumped out of bed and ran to the spare room. For the first time, he was mad that he was to cheap to buy cable as the fuzzy picture of the towers came on the screen. Smoke was billowing from both buildings.
"Stacy, get in here." He called to his wife.
"What's the matter? Oh my God."
"This is huge. There is no way this is a accident."
They watched numbly as he thought about what to do. Should he let Stacy go to work? He figured that Lynnwood wasn't much of a target, so that would be OK.
"Don't believe anything you hear right away." He told her as she left. "There's going to be a bunch of rumors flying around. Wait until they know what's going on. I love you and I'll see you tonight."
He took one last look at the burning towers and went to take his shower. There sure was going to be a lot of talk at work today. He wondered if anybody would get anything done today.
After he got dressed, he went back to look at the TV. There was only one tower on the screen.
That is when the first tear came.
Some quick computations about how many people that building could hold gave him a number too horrific to think about. He sank down onto the couch and hugged his dog.
In an explosion of dust and smoke, the second tower started to fall.
"Oh my God. Oh my God." Tom Brokaw was saying.
The dog looked at him with that vacant happy expression so common with golden retrievers. Unconcerned with the world and only wanting to be scratched behind his ear.
"You are so lucky you aren't human today." He said to his companion through the sobs. "You are so lucky."
Thought for the day -
Make sure to let those you love know that you love them.
posted by Drewpy Drew at 1:06 PM
6 Comments:
Amen!! On your thought for the day!! Amen Amen....
Great post....
I have to read through this later, to let it sink in. Have to get kids to bed. night.
It is so true....we just never know and we should never forget.
like you, i did some calculations and all i can say is that i'm glad my calculations were way off.
How easy it is to forget when it is something we should always remember. Great post.
Thanks to all for the great comments. This has been great therapy for me.
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