September 11th isn’t just one day for survivors to get through. It is a constant memory, even fourteen years later. Remembering the tragic events of that day only bring the pain and anger back. But there is so much more that happened that day and in the weeks after. Complete strangers were friends, adolescents became volunteers, restaurants fed first responders on the house and Samaritans across the country came together to help recovery efforts. Humanity was at its finest.
When the second plane, United Airlines flight 175, hit the south tower of World Trade Center, I knew this was no accident. Reports were coming in throughout the news and radio that there were other planes unaccounted for and possibly headed toward Manhattan. I packed my two cats in their carriers and began to walk 50 blocks toward my ex-boyfriends apartment. In retrospect, that was a mistake. All I could think of was that Manhattan was under attack and I didn’t want to die alone. Every cab had off duty lights on, flying uptown through the timed lights on Amsterdam Avenue. My arms were trembling from carrying my cats halfway there. I stopped to stretch my arms and rest for a second when a cab pulled over and rolled the window down. His name was Omar and he was driving to be with his children. Omar’s wife worked in the south tower. This man was terrified and desperate to get to his family, yet he stopped to help me. I invited him to use the phone. Fortunately, his wife had already called home with word that she was okay.
The News confirmed all air traffic was accounted for and rescue efforts were underway. I left the apartment to give blood and offer my emergency first-aid experience at the makeshift Triage area set up at Chelsea Piers. The city was calm. There was no panic, rioting or aggressive behavior to speak of. Even after fourteen years, I have no words to describe the somber peace throughout the city. I waited on line to give blood with celebrities, but we were all the same that day. I walked passed a sea of street artists, offering their talent, drawing larger photos of missing for desperate family members. Store owners and workers gave bottled water and towels to the ash covered walking wounded. I witnessed a fleet of sailboats, fishing vessels, ferries and tugboats unite in evacuating thousands of people out of lower Manhattan. Bilingual Men and Women translated for distraught family members in search of loved ones. As masses of pedestrians walked out of the grey, an overwhelming number of people headed toward ground zero, in an extraordinary testament to the heroism born that day.
As we reflect on the tragic events that occurred fourteen years ago today, celebrate the memory of those who left us all too soon, the bravery exhibited by so many and the good within that still lives on. Honor the lives that were lost on September 11th, 2001, the first responders and the brave Men and Women who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms by displaying random acts of kindness like we did in the weeks after 9-11. Treat life as a gift. Tell someone you love them. Compliment a stranger. Call and old friend. Thank a Veteran. Remember to never forget.