Yes, we all have stores as to where we were when 9/11 happened. I can't believe it's been 25 years. Stating that it's been a quarter of a century seems to make it seem more ancient. All I know is that it was the day the music died for Generation X. At least for this Gen X gal, anyway. I'm sure those who witnessed the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, have a similar feeling. Something forever shifted.
I recall the morning of September 11, 2001, perfectly. My husband was already up making coffee and whatnot in the kitchen. I was still in bed. I remember him rushing into our bedroom and turning on the television. In my foggy half-awake-half-sleep I asked him why he turned on the tv as he handed me a cup of coffee.
He said, "One of the Twin Towers in New York just had a plane crash through it. I don't think this is over. Something else is about to happen."
With that I sat up in bed, coffee cup in hand, and watched the second plane hit the other tower. This was not what I was expecting on an otherwise usual Tuesday Morning. I was to be in San Francisco for a meeting that day. Not knowing what to do, I did my usual morning routine. I got ready for my meeting and headed to San Francisco. I was turned around at the Golden Gate Bridge. Everything was shut down. I came back to Sonoma County where everybody was equally stunned.
I liken my response to being dumb-stunned and turned around at the Golden Gate Bridge to a deer caught in the headlights. I still have that response 25 years later with all that has changed because of 9/11.
Bottom Line: We are no freer nor safer today despite all the mandates and laws put in place to "protect" us.
