Remembering 9/11

It is impossible to not remember that day.

I had taken the day off for a doctor's appointment. My alarm was the radio. I woke up to vaguely hear something about the World Trade Center. As I began to wake up, I heard about the second tower. That woke me up.

I turned the TV on to see horrific footage in disbelief. And then a report on the third plane. "This can't be real!" I think everyone thought that.

I didn't personally know anyone working in the World Trade Center, but I knew of people, relatives and co-workers of people I knew. Cell phone calls weren't getting through. A lot of us were making frantic calls to check on friends and family.

I was living in the suburbs at the time. Downtown was being evacuated, and Metra did a good job getting people out of the city.

When I got to the doctor's office, it was the only thing playing on the TV. Of course.

Our boss had flown in that morning for a meeting. He tried to get a flight back home, which of course was not possible as all flights had been grounded. We were worried about Chicago, especially downtown with all the skyscrapers, being targeted as well.

We will never forget, but we will stay strong.

So, reader, I am asking for your stories. Where were you on 9/11, and what went through your mind?

As always, please keep it civil and relevant. I promise I will refrain from commenting on your experience, but I might be curious enough to ask questions to better understand your story.