As I sit on the porch I think where has 21 years gone. I was 21 when the Towers fell and it's been 21 years since they fell, so it's all a bit weird. My brain goes all over the place so I will try to keep it in some semblance of order, but it may not work out that way. I will admit it is surreal to hear planes in the sky today, as it was so eerily quiet following the attack.
The question is always asked "Where were you?" on this day. Here's my answer:
I was 21 and had just started what would be my extra and final semester at Seton Hall. Being an experienced student at that point my classes were later in the day or I may not have had any on that particular day. That I don't remember, what I do remember is what I did that day. Typical college kid I was asleep at 8:30am, possibly awake and just laying in bed, either way I was in my room. I remember mom, in her typical style (which I never thought I would miss but I do) barged in and said "a plane hit one of the twin towers" I thought who flies into a giant building, thinking it was a small plane and a mistake." This shows how time affects things, I am pretty sure mom came in to say "a second plane it." and I thought ok, what is going on. Something, looking back it was the Holy Spirit prompted me to get out of the house and wash my car. Oddest thing to do but I did it. I had turned on PLJ, and remember how somber Scott and Todd were, there was no usual antics just straight forwardness and confusion. Not a hundred percent sure on the memory of this either but my next door neighbor at the time (a new one has moved in since) said "one of the towers fell. I know full well that God did not have in front of a TV screen because my memory has always been vivid and the last thing I needed was my brain flooded with the image of the second plane hitting.
Random side note and theological musings: If anyone was to look at me they know I bleed Catholicism and I love my faith and relationship with God, but back then I would say my faith and relationship were at the highest they have been or I was just more attune to things. May of 2001 was a trip to Rome and then later that Summer a trip to Ireland and I remember how extremely worried about flying I was. I don't like to fly to begin with and something was telling that planes weren't safe, but I went anyway. When I went to bed on Sept. 10th I remember having an overwhelming feeling of many people needing help, so when the Towers came down I did what I still do I prayed.
Back to our regularly scheduled where was I story: I was cleaning my car, listening to Scott and Todd, neighbor coming out to say "one of the towers fell" so I decided to join the rest of the world and watched TV with my mom. (I miss that too, mom entered eternal life in February 2020.) The rest of the day continued with us watching the news and contacting family. We didn't have Facebook or instant messages in the way we do now, so we had to reassure our family 3,000 miles away in Ireland that we were indeed safe and fine. It took my dad 2-4 hours to get home, my aunt offered to let his stay at her house but I guess he wanted to be home with us so he took many a detour and got back to us. My brother worked in NYC, Midtown, not Lower so he was fine but it also took him forever to get home. So where was I, I was at home, wishing desperately that I was in South Orange with my friends, but stayed home as you couldn't go anywhere.
Speaking of my brother, if you have read this blog before, you know that my brother, smart ass that he is picked 9-1-1 as his wedding date so that "no one would forget" needless to say we have not forgotten and I am always happy to have the happy memories attached to this day. In the years that have passed I usually think of Dennis and John, the two guys that we knew who were killed that day. Dennis was one of the 343 FDNY killed that day and his funeral was one that I will never forget. My dad and his dad grew up a town over from each other in Mayo, Ireland and while I never met Dennis we are forever linked by the events of 21 years ago. Dennis' funeral was packed, a testament to the Irish community in this area. The mayor of NYC got there while we waited on the long line to get in, we knew that because we knew one of the cops that was part of his security detail. On the line ahead of us was a volunteer fire fighter from Rockland County. There was no body at the wake, just a picture, and this man stood in front of the picture and saluted a fellow brother. It still makes me cry to this day. Dennis' mom told my parents "all I want is a piece of his body, even if it's a finger, to bury." Mrs. McHugh got her wish Dennis' body was found later on. The other thing that sticks out was the "daddy we will always remember you" flowers. While I can't think of the actual ages, Dennis kids would be in the early to mid twenties and I am sure their dad is watching them from above. Who would have thought that a man I never met would have such an impact on my life. Now to John, the man I did know, but don't think of as much. I was always "Peter's little sister" when we lived in the Bronx, that's what happens when you are 12 years younger than your brother. I remember John, I remember being is his parent's apartment. The joys of living in the Bronx you all knew each other. John's memorial Mass was odd as it was a homecoming of sorts and just what he would have wanted. For us it had probably been 8 years since we were last at the parish in the Bronx. I was just 21 and anyone who knew us kept saying, "oh no that's not little Mary" and I would respond with Mary's not so little anymore. In remembering John's life, he worked for Cantor Fitzgerald so I assume he was gone in seconds or so I hope he was, we all gathered in what was our Church for many years. We all united around the Eucharist first and then went downstairs to remember John in our own ways. John son never met his father or well wouldn't remember him as he was either born just before or just after the attacks.
So yes two men, one whom I knew, and one who I never met are forever linked in this infamous day. 21 years have passed and it still seems like yesterday. Rest easy gentlemen and say hi to mom for me.
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