Sandy Supposes....

9/11

September 11th Prompt What were you doing 20 years ago today? Of the events that transpired, what memory stays with you, almost haunts you?

          Twenty years ago? Wow, now that's a significant amount of time. Where was I? What was I doing?

         Well, I was far from the horrific destruction, snug in my home, until the glaring news' reports jolted my small, Canadian town awareness into hyper-drive.

         At that long ago time my youngest had just started Grade 12 and we were immersed in all things high school. In fact on that specific day she posed for memory photos.

          I was busy reorganizing a new year of Girl Guide activities and preparing for the local fall fair by polishing my craft entries. My two eldest were in and out working at their jobs.My career as a personal support worker hummed along. Basically, I multi-tasked as usual. Oh, and my eldest grandgiggle had just turned four months old.

         My mother phoned me to order that I turn on my television and see the emerging terror for myself. I remember not completely comprehending what the cameras were recording in real time. My mind preferred to believe that it was a staged bit of movie magic / manipulation. It had to be smoke and mirrors, too much smoke, special Hollywood effects, right? Tall buildings were not intended to be struck and destroyed, right?

         I paced and worried about strangers miles from my safe haven. How could this happen? Why? Sure, the United States bordered my country, and New York is at a physical distance, but it was still too close to home. Canada shares more than that border and some common geography with our neighbours. Americans and Canadians alike presumed they were free to prosper and cherish their families. No one could foresee such brazen brutal attacks.

         What still haunts me? Those images of soot-stained, stunned, vacant-eyed New Yorkers stumbling along streets of rubble and framed by billowing smoke are etched in my memory. New York resembled a war zone and it was mind-boggling. The smouldering remnants of the towers were a stark reality.

         I also remember with bursting pride the outpouring of love and support my fellow Canadians from Newfoundland provided to the many diverted flyers sent there because all flights were cancelled. No one had ever envisioned a mass influx of frightened American travellers, yet citizens stepped up to help. Those Newfies are my heroes. They selflessly sheltered and comforted. They made the best of an unprecedented emergency.

         I suppose the least any of us can do is remember. Far too many people died on 9/11 and those deaths were violent, unspeakable atrocities. That attack pales in comparison to those beloved victims. Their lives matter and they shall never be forgotten.