Day 20: 9/11 and 102 mins

Twin Towers in NYC pre 9/11

What is;
Today marks the 10yr anniversary of 9/11.
My heart woke me this morning at 6:10am MST, which was 8:10am in NY.
My heart woke me on NY time, so I may be a part of the tribute shown on Good Morning America.
I remember that day so clearly.
The tribute is powerful and so are the moments of silence.
My blessings from what is;
I am alive and so is my family.
It puts everything into perspective, that I get to be grateful for my life.
I am proud to be an American and a New Yorker at that time.
It is powerful and beautiful to witness the usually very busy New York City, so still and silent.
There is power in silence.
102 mins elapsed between the first crash into the World Trade Center to the collapse of both towers.

I'm grateful this was my 102mins.

Before I speak of my gratitude on this day, I'm going to recall the story of that day from my experience of it. This is what happened in my 102mins.
10 years ago today I lived in New york, an hour away from the city.
I was 17 years old, in 11th grade.
When the announcement of the 1st plane crashing came, I was sitting in my English class(Mr. Corragio), with Meghan Garrity and Michael Rofofski, many others but those were the ones that have always stuck out for me. I remember Meghan because she sat next to me.
And then they announced the 2nd plane crash. This really threw everyone into a whirl.
I remember some of my classmates still speculating it being an accident, and here's why I remember Michael Rofoski....because he and I were the only ones saying, " no there is no way someone "accidentally" crashes 2 planes, this was on purpose" 

A tragic image etched into memory

I remember the other most tragic part of the day was when they announced at 10:16am, that the towers had both collapsed, and again disbelief set in.
I remember them saying over the p.a, "if you know your parents work in the tower please come to the office for support", next thing I heard were people screaming, crying and running down the hallway.
Everyone sat in disbelief, with kids crying in the hallways.
I would say it was a very somber day for me and my school.
I ran to a phone and called home immediately; see, my dad was supposed to have flown to where the 1st plane came from, so I made sure he wasn't leaving. Of course he wasn't and couldn't. I also remember there being lines for the pay phones (cuz cell phones for teens were uncommon then) kids wanted to know if their parents who were in the city were ok.
The most painful part was going near the office, the agony and trauma felt there was overwhelming because so many peoples parent or parents worked in the towers.

I remember my best friend, Amanda Masi, told me of a story about her uncle saying goodbye to his wife, as she watched the towers collapse. And then there was silence.
The students were released early that day.
I remember getting off the bus, running inside and watching, for the first time, the whole thing on the news. By now, it was noon and tragedy had already taken a toll on the entire nation/world.
I remember we had to turn off the tv, b/c the only thing on was the replay of people jumping out of windows and the crashes and just all the tragedy over and again.
The last memory I really have is of me going to my neighbors to watch their children as they went to....actually I don't know where.. I just knew they had family in the city and needed their kids kept home and safe. I am grateful I was able to provide that safety and security for them and their children.

9/11 Memorial in nYC 10yrs later

Mirror Pool

These are my memories. I also remember the feeling of unity and love felt throughout the entire state and subsequently the country. I'm grateful and proud to be an American, a New Yorker. I'm grateful that this was my 102mins of history, and that I'm alive to share my story. I'm grateful my 102mins didn't contain the same tragedy as those who went through it and those who suffer from directly losing a loved one on that day.
I am grateful for the men and women who have died to protect, serve, and save our nation, especially the firemen/women on that day. Those who left loved ones, kids, wives, and many more behind to save the lives of many. I honor those loved ones who sacrificed their family for others family members to be saved.
I am grateful for my life and my family.
Thank you
Sabrina Redmond

Poem that inspired me from today's memorial ceremony:

Turn Again to Life ~Mary Lee Hall~
If I should die and leave you here a while,
be not like others sore undone,
who keep long vigil by the silent dust,
For my sake, turn again to life and smile,
nerving thy heart and trembling hand
to do something to comfort other hearts than thine.
Complete these dear unfinished tasks of mine
and I perchance may therein comfort you.

God Bless every soul that we've lost, God Bless the family members that have to endure that loss,  and God Bless the United States of America.