Re: Question about 911 highjackings
You know OB, you're post just now brought back some really strong feeling on my part.. <br /><br />The spent the week of September 3rd 2001 in Melbourne Florida with my twin sister and my terminally ill mother. My mother died on Sunday, September 9, 2001. I was scheduled to make an evening flight out of Orlando on Monday the 10th and was running very late. I had to get back to Chicago and then back to Chattanooga, Tenn. for my mothers funeral. Our family roots were from Chattanooga and she wanted to be buried there. It was a very hectic drive across the state, return the rental car and make my flight. I ran up to the ticket counter and fumbled for my I.D. frantically saying that my flight was leaving in 5 minutes! The kind woman at the counter asked my name and flight number and almost instantly produced a boarding pass, without verifying who I was. I thanked her as I bolted for the security gate. There , my carry-on was quickly scanned , so were my keys, pager, cell phone and a 3 inch double bladed pocket knife. I grabbed my possessions and sprinted to the gate, I just made the flight, they were closing the doors when I arrived.<br /><br />On the flight , my head was swimming with the thoughts and events of the preceding week, the loss of my mother, and the hectic schedule ahead of me. During the evening flight, the stewardess handed out snacks and cookies. I used my pocket knife to open the package of cookies and placed the knife on my serving tray in front of me. After a bit, the stewardess asked if I wanted more cookies and noticed the open knife on my tray. She was not alarmed, I posed no threat, and I gladly accepted more snacks, as I was very hungry. The cabin lights were lowered, and only the low hum of the engines broke the silence , except for my thoughts. <br /><br />That night, when I got home , I was exhausted. I fell fast asleep only to be awakened by a special delivery guy returning my lost luggage at 2AM.....Now I was really beat.<br /><br />The morning of September 11th, I slept late. My lady friend came and woke me from a sound sleep saying, "A plane has hit one of the Twin Towers". I staggered to the TV to watch the events unfold in utter disbelief. I had just suffered a personal loss and now I witnessed an even greater loss , a terrifying loss. In an instant I knew that everything had changed, I had changed, we as a people, a nation had changed. Things would never again be the same. I thought back on the day before and realized, never will I be able to innocently open a pocket knife on a plane. Never will I be able to get a boarding pass so easily. Never again would it be so easy to enjoy the freedoms that I had come to take for granted....everything had changed..in an instant. Nothing would ever be the same again.<br /><br />The loss of my mother, the loss of so many people will forever be joined in my mind. The two events are inseparable for me. I can't think of one without being reminded of the other........<br />The dicotomy of seeing my mother ,a kind, gentle soul leave this earth so peacefully , juxtaposed by those innocent souls who were lost so violently, will trouble me all of my days......<br /><br />You are not forgotten, loved one<br /> Nor will you ever be,<br />As long as life and memory last<br /> We will remember thee.<br />We miss you now, our hearts<br /> are sore<br />As time goes by we'll miss you more.<br />Your loving smile, your gentle face,<br />No one can fill your vacant place.<br /><br />May God continue to truly bless us all..<br /><br />X.
