But I haven't quite been able to quit cold turkey. The only time I listen to other stations is during my commute to work. There is a particular station that had a host of radio personalities that keep me rolling. Every morning they do a funny segment about calling people anonymously that I usually try to catch. Well today I was listening and the topic was quite different. Today is 9-11.
You know how some memories get etched into tour brain, sure to never move? It is one of those for me. I remember that day easily in 2001, even though I was only 9 years old. My fourth grade class was working on a worksheet when several teachers came inside to speak privately to my teacher. My teacher left for quite some time, someone was assigned the coveted position of Name Taker. Finally my teacher came pack wiping away tears. "Children the World Trade Centers has been hit." I had no clue what that was. Before explaining, she left again to go back to the library to watch it on the news.
I went home on the normal bus and dashed inside. To my surprise the news was on my television at home- I don't recall any other time seeing the news on so early, we were a nightly news family. So I sat on the armrest of the couch and watched with Mama a replay as the first tower was struck. I listened to the reporter yelling as the second one was hit on live tv. I still didn't grasp it though- why did this matter to us? I remember Mama was emotional as well, which was out of the ordinary. I asked her that question, she tried to explain to my young mind an appropriate answer.
Ugh. aNow I can see why. It becomes more real as I've gotten a little bit older, the depth of the situation more clear. I can not help to imagine the questions that surely poured into every mind... Is that the end of the attacks? Did I know anyone involved? Will this take us to war? Who could do this? Am I safe here?
It is scary to relive that. But once a teacher told my class, "that was a terrible incident in the history of America, but we as citizens were never as united as we were then." The sheer love of our country brought us all together, one nation and one purpose.
So earlier I spoke of the radio hosts I enjoy in the early morning- well guess what? They're located in New York. So today they recapped what it was like 12 years ago: a massive chaotic day as listeners call in with shattering news, tearful confessions and seeking some consolation from their newfound fears. They finally stopped. Just stopped their bits in their tracks. It was too much.
Then they had the horrible dilema- to stay at home tw next day as the hoped for sadety or to return to work? On September 12 they came back on air, when they almost stayed home so shocked by what had just happened. I want to (roughly) quote from a host who worked at the station: "It turned in to listeners calling in, everyone helping each other out. Some called in their address if people needed socks, others for shoes. Then we got calls from crews on site saying 'keep playing! Keep doing your job! We need you guys!' Laughter was medicine for them."
Personally, it was very touching to hear of the kindness and determination of those individuals. 9-11 will always be a memorable day... I certainly do love my country. Truly I pray that God will bless America 🇺🇸
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