My Story - September 12, 2001 (the miracle started with a cardboard box)

The American people are so amazing when they know what to do to help. We are always giving and doing for our neighbors in our country and in other countries. As you said God bless America, and New York

angrykitty thanks so much for reminding us of the good things'you and a lot of others did to help the victims and the fire and police after
9/11.You were all heroes and thats so great,we need some good things'to'remind us we are still here and still all fighting
the good fight. You cannot keep Americans down we will come'back and with a vengenance. Right God Bless us everyone.

Kitty-

I remember that day well and do honor it. I was working in a school in Arizona and I had friends in New York City, and many of my students had family members there. I was getting ready for school as normal when my daughter told me to come see the news, that a plane hit a building. When I came out to watch we all sat in silence as the story unfolded. I asked them if they wanted me to call them in sick or if they wanted to go to school. They actually said they'd rather spend the day in school with their friends.

When I arrived at school, a good thirty minute drive on back roads from where I lived, people were already assembled in the teacher lounge. Three televisions were on each broadcasting each of the local news stations. I found the day a disaster even where I was in my small town. Some students were frantically making phone calls on their cell phones to loved ones in New York (I was the teacher who allowed them to do so, others were telling them to suck it up). We were informed to keep class as usual, but how could I? Did my colleagues not remember what it was like when JFK died? Was this not the same sort of horrific tragedy that shakes America? I didn't keep class the same. I set aside my lesson plans and let my kids vent, cry, scream, and talk about their feelings, their worries etc. One student found the local station through my pc so that we could keep tabs on what was going on as there were no network televisions in our district.

A year later? My same students put together a book on their reflections. What did the feel this day in 2001 and how did they feel in 2002. I still have a teacher copy of that book and I still cry over some of the entries.

Namaste to all. Anora

This is the first direct testimonial of those events that I have read by someone I know. Even though I only know you Kitty across the boards here, I 'feel' that I know you much better than the authors of other articles that I have read concerning that date.

It was possibly for this reason that while reading it I felt many more emotional reactions than previous times. Thank you Kitty for sharing this and sharing what it was like for someone who was right there on the spot.

Incredible story. I apologize if I missed other postings of it from the years before if there were any. MSV, that story is quite inspirational, as well your a lot of your deeds that day. All and all, its also made me think about a lot of things again. I really can't explain it all, however one thing that stands out most is hope and I mean the real thing. Again, thanks for taking the time to share all of this.

Thanks kitty, ya put a lump in my throat, and I was doing so good today too, lol. Anyway, thank you so much for sharing this. THIS is the America I identify with, the Amreica I know. This is the way her people think and feel. It is a tragedy it takes something like 9-11 to bring it out in us and an equal tragedy how soon we forget and go back to our self absorbed, superficial petty ways.
Can we not now draw on the events of 8 years ago and just bring back September 12th? I turn on the news and near witness to a country tearing itself apart...over what...politics and parties? Is it really going to take another horrible or worse event to bring my country back? Come on folks, we're better than that. Kitty here has in a very simple and humble way reminded us all of who we really are and still have the potential to be. We were and still are something truly great and unique, let us NEVER lose sight of that.

Yes we NYers ar a resiliant bunch. But what many people failed to realize before this event was how kind hearted we are. On the outside we are tough, but inside we are very gentle, generous souls, and the same can be said for the USA. No one, no matter how they try, can douse our spirits and strength.

That was so beautifully written Kitty, I felt like I was right there beside you.

I don't really have anything to offer that could even come close to what you have already said, and I'll just leave it at that.

God Bless America and God Bless New York!!!
This is an inspirational story. I am going
to share this story with my daughters. This just
goes to shwo that when we stand together as one
we can do anything. This was such a sad day for America.
My daughters think this should be a day to remember that day
and just have a silent day not doing anything no school and no
work. I do agree with them. I think we should always remember and
never forget what happened that day. We have to remember this day and
never forget all the innocent people that died. I have cried all day
pretty much. This day really gets to me as well.
Thank you for sharing your story with us.
It is nice to hear the good things that do happen.

Wow, this story was very very touching and I really appreciate you sharing this with everyone. I honestly teared up while reading this and just remembering what had happened that day. I am very touched hearing about how everyone came together and I thought it was incredibly good of you to be the firs tto initiate it. Thank you again for sharing this story.