September 11, 2001

I lived in Scappoose, OR with my Brother, Sister-in-Law and one year old nephew.  I think Tim worked a crazy shift where he had to leave early in the morning.  So, on weekdays, my Julie and Walt and I would getup around the same time and get ready together.  We usually had cartoons on the tv for Pooky Soo to watch, but for some reason we had the news on.  Maybe it was just the channel we had been watching the night prior.

As I came down the stairs to iron my clothes, Julie mentioned that a plane had just hit the World Trade Center.  My thoughts went to construction.  It's my line of work.  I was working in construction management and we were in the midst of a high-rise hotel in Portland, Oregon.  I wondered how they were going to repair the building that high up.  I thought about all the types of scaffolding available.  Its seems so stupid now.

The second plane hit while I was ironing.  I instantly thought about air traffic control and what could have gone wrong?  It never crossed my mind that we were under attack.  Julie and I stopped what we were doing and watched for a bit.  I went back to my ironing and said to Julie how stupid I felt standing there ironing my clothes for the day when at this very moment, there were hundreds or thousands of people experiencing absolute chaos.  At this VERY moment. 

I had a half hour drive to work so I listened to the rest of the events play out on while driving in.  I remember being just under the St. John's bridge when one of the towers fell. I could not wrap my mind around that.  How did it fall?  Did it tip over?  Did it implode?  How many buildings went with it?  Were the people out?  How many people were out?

I got into the office and told my boss what had happened and he had only known about the first plane.  Our office was inside the existing Hilton Portland and we went downstairs to the employee cafeteria to see what was on the tv.  As it turned out, that day was an monthly meeting where we had Hilton Vice Presidents in town from all over the country.  My own boss was planning to leave for Mexico City on the 12th.  We knew that all air traffic had been stopped, but we didn't know to what extent.  I started trying to figure my boss' plans for the next few days.  I went to each of the Hilton VP's and told them I would be in touch with their secretaries to see about arranging travel back to their homes for them.

On my way to the meeting room, I was riding in the elevator with a man I didn't know.  One of my favorite of the Hilton VP's stepped in and I mentioned that I would work on his return flight as soon as I could.  He wondered why?  I asked whether he had seen the news today.  He hadn't.  That other man and I told him everything that had happened so far and he was stunned.  I will always remember what he kept saying in his Tennessee drawl: "Git outta tayown!", "You GIT OUTTA TAY-OWN". 

At some point, my Mom called.  She was supposed to fly to St. Louis that morning but her flight was delayed, eventually it turned out to be cancelled.  My Brother called to see what I had heard.  We talked I told him to call me later and I would update him.  About an hour later he called to say "Where is our Mom?".  I assured him she was safe.

My very good friend, Sandy, and I would meet every Tuesday for lunch.  One of us called the other and wondered whether we should still meet?  Was it appropriate?  Was it disrespectful?  We decided it was okay to meet.  Even if we were to just sit and chat.  The City of Portland was empty.  So many people had gone home. 

When I got home that night, Tim had hung the US Flag on the house. 

Over the next week, He and I would call each other throughout the day and talk about the touching things we had seen or heard.  That the US anthem was played in England, the moments of silence, the churches open for anyone who wanted to come.  One of the things that surprised me the most was to see a HUGE US Flag hanging from one of the skyways in Portland.  Then they popped up everywhere.  The newspapers printed them so we could put them in our windows and from my office in the Hilton, I could see 100's of them. 

It was Daisy's birthday.  I doubt she noticed that tragic events.  My beautiful black princess.

I'm watching the 9/11 ceremony coverage right now and it's heart breaking.  Later, Brown-eyed Man and I are going to a memorial dedication ceremony at the local fire station. 

I don't have anything philosophical to say today.  I feel so bad for those people who lost loved ones that day.  There are so many stories connected to all of those who were lost.  Such sadness.  But I loved the way our country came together after that day and I wish that we all could have stayed that way.  Stayed connected and united.  It's a shame that it took an attack like this to bring us together.

J