Where Were You?

I know we all can remember exactly where we were on September 11, 2001, it is engrained on our memories forever. I was still single and living an hour from New York City. My children were still in the arms of a loving Heavenly Father. For that reason, I choose to share my experience here so that in the future they can read and hopefully have some understanding of why when I remember, I am sad.

I moved to New Jersey in May of 2000 to be a nanny, or a glorified babysitter :) I spent many Saturdays in New York City with other nannies and with the family I was working for. I fell in love with the city and the "New York state of mind." I could have lived there forever and been content. On one of those journey's into the city before September 11th I took these pictures. It wasn't until I was married with children that I came upon them and felt the need to treasure them forever.

The morning of September 11th, 2001 I was going about my morning as usual. I took one child I nannied for to school and took the other child with me to the grocery store. I walked in the store and saw many confused and emotional faces. I heard talk of a plane and New York City. I got back in the car and turned the radio on to here extreme emotion in the voices coming from the speakers. It was surreal. I called my family in Utah, knowing that it was 7am, and told them to turn on the TV.
Once I got back home it was impossible to peel my eyes off the television screen. My phone rang.  It was a man who was friends with the family I worked for. He was in the city and was having problems getting in touch with his wife to insure her that he was safe. For some reason he was able to call me. I relayed the messege to his wife and her relief was evident. The parents of the kids I took care of came home early. I spent the rest of my day in my room, watching the horror and despair on the faces of family members looking for loved ones.
The next morning I saw another side of the devestation. I witnessed a woman at the school crying. Crying for the husband who was in the North tower when the plane hit. It was sad and I wished that there was something I could do for her. For her children.
I went to New York shortly after that day. I took friends with me. We walked down to the site and saw the devestation with our own eyes. I will always remember coming out of the train station and seeing all the papers taped to the walls of the station. Papers with faces of loved ones lost. Hundreds of them. The fences around Ground Zero covered in more faces. Sadness filled my heart.
I am a mother now and I want nothing more than for my children to stay innocent and safe. One day they will read this and hopefully understand. One day.

(The new memorial at ground zero)