September 11, 2001

I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing six years ago today. I was at work, on Long Island, and I truly felt like I had been thrust into The Twilight Zone. How could it be that not only were the Twin Towers hit by our own airplanes, they'd collapsed? When we learned it was the doing of al Queda, I just remember looking at the computer screen and thinking thank God Rich isn't here to see this. We were at war. I was scared for my kids' future--not mine, because I thought it was over.

I'd just been at the Marriott located between the towers in August for the Dark Shadows convention. My kids and I talked about talking the elevator to the top for the view because we'd never been up. I hadn't brought enough money (going up in the elevator was a whole lot more expensive than I imagined!) and so we decided to do it "next time". There will never be a 'next time' because it's all gone.

This year has been full of traumatic memories as each "anniversary" has fallen on exactly the same day of the week as it did in 2001. The memories began with that last Easter spent as a family with Rich, the dates he was hospitalized, grew ill again, died...and then came September 11.

I have been trying to stay away from the media. I know bin Laden has released a new video, that bastard, and I have no desire to know what hatred he's spewed forth now. But I can't hide from my email, other blog entries and my own memories so I am making a post to acknowledge the day. I honor those who died, all of the innocent and the first responders, and I grieve with their families and that's all I really want to say about 9/11.