Monday, September 12, 2016

Reflections of 9/11 from a Canadian living in the States

I am a bit late with my reflections on 9/11.

Where was I on that day? I was a Canadian living in the U.S.

I lived in Minnesota for two years. I had already been there for more than a year when the tragic events occurred on September 11, 2001.

Back then, I was a pure night owl. I went to bed late and woke up at 07:45. I eventually got to work by 09:30.

I was listening to the local radio station when the first plane had crashed into one of the twin towers of the World Trade Center. I thought that it was a freak accident and hoped that everyone was okay. Moments later, it was reported that another plane had crashed into the other tower. I knew then that it was deliberate.

I fixed myself breakfast, sat at the table, and watched the horrible events unfold on ABC News. I felt sick to my stomach.

I managed to drive myself to work, which was a close five minutes away. I walked into my office where my officemate and our fellow colleague (we were all Canadian) reflected on what had just happened.

Things changed after that day. The technology company that I worked for implemented strict security policies going in and out of the parking lot. At the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, I could no longer go through security and meet my mom at her gate like I had done a few months earlier. 

My parents were concerned about me. They called that evening. I told them that all was okay. I wasn't exactly close to the Big Apple, but I was stateside and only a timezone away.

It was a dark day. I may not talk or write about it much, but the day is still fresh in my mind.

I disliked how the local gas stations immediately hiked up gas prices. Price gouging is wrong to begin with, let alone capitalizing on such a tragic event.

However, there are always good stories, like good samaritans helping others after the twin towers were hit. That's what I would like to focus on -- the good.

4 comments:

  1. I remember that day clearly watching it on tv in Australia as the event unfolded. It was so unbelievable. Security even tightened over here after that. Things have never been the same again in the world. Such a sad day.

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    1. I completely agree. It takes a few bad apples to make security tighten up everywhere and change our world.

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  2. I remember that day also, CB. I had lost my job and was getting ready to go to a temporary job I had. I also turned on the news and thought the first plane had been an accident...was on the phone with my brother when we watched the second plane go into the second tower. Don't think I will ever get that image out of my mind. My heart breaks for all who were lost. Two friends from my town are part of the national first responders and spent many weeks at ground zero. Neither one has ever been the same. :(

    Hugs and blessings...Cat

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    1. It is difficult to not recall where you were when the horrible events that day took place. I can only imagine how difficult it was and is for your friends to cope after all these years. Their efforts certainly meant a lot to everyone.

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