I Remember
I remember the exact moment I heard that President Kennedy bad been shot. The teacher was crying at his desk when I walked into the classroom and I had never seen a man cry. The room, my standing in quiet awkwardness, the smell of a dusty chalkboard and my wet shoes remain like a photograph etched in my mind
I remember on that day in January 1986 when I received a quick call at work with word that the Space Shuttle Challenger had exploded after take off. In the office across from me sat my favorite co-worker, a World War II Veteran, B-17 Bomber Pilot. He listened to my news, but I recognized his tacit disbelief as he turned to find his radio. The audible squeak in his chair matched the physical shiver of apprehension in my spine as we sought confirmation. Neither of us spoke as we listened to the news bulletin. The smiling face of the first teacher in space, Christa McAuliffe, haunted the tears that flowed freely from my heart that day.
I remember where I was on 9-11-01 when I first saw the horrific scenes from The World Trade Center being televised. I had arrived around midnight on my flight from Washington DC into Portland, Oregon. Four hours late because I was bumped from my first flight. To top off the bad day, my luggage was traveling on its own for the second time this trip. The two weeks I had spent in Delaware with my daughter Jen and family were good, but I missed the hubby and was so happy to see him at the airport. He listened to me complain about my traveling woes as we drove to our eldest daughter's (Kar) house to finish out the night/morning before driving on home. We slept in and then loved on our five-month old grandson over breakfast. A phone call interrupted our visit; it was Jen in such hysterics that at first Kar could not understand her.
"The Towers have Fallen."
The rest of the day our eyes were riveted to the television news with revulsion and horror. We hugged. We cried.
So many images of unimaginable grief and terror. But I find myself thinking about our silent trip home. It was the sky, a blank blue slate, that drew me to its emptiness.
I remember on that day in January 1986 when I received a quick call at work with word that the Space Shuttle Challenger had exploded after take off. In the office across from me sat my favorite co-worker, a World War II Veteran, B-17 Bomber Pilot. He listened to my news, but I recognized his tacit disbelief as he turned to find his radio. The audible squeak in his chair matched the physical shiver of apprehension in my spine as we sought confirmation. Neither of us spoke as we listened to the news bulletin. The smiling face of the first teacher in space, Christa McAuliffe, haunted the tears that flowed freely from my heart that day.
I remember where I was on 9-11-01 when I first saw the horrific scenes from The World Trade Center being televised. I had arrived around midnight on my flight from Washington DC into Portland, Oregon. Four hours late because I was bumped from my first flight. To top off the bad day, my luggage was traveling on its own for the second time this trip. The two weeks I had spent in Delaware with my daughter Jen and family were good, but I missed the hubby and was so happy to see him at the airport. He listened to me complain about my traveling woes as we drove to our eldest daughter's (Kar) house to finish out the night/morning before driving on home. We slept in and then loved on our five-month old grandson over breakfast. A phone call interrupted our visit; it was Jen in such hysterics that at first Kar could not understand her.
"The Towers have Fallen."
The rest of the day our eyes were riveted to the television news with revulsion and horror. We hugged. We cried.
So many images of unimaginable grief and terror. But I find myself thinking about our silent trip home. It was the sky, a blank blue slate, that drew me to its emptiness.
Comments
I will be posting my 9/11 one on Saturday - tomorrow will be a tribute to the Benjammin going to Kindergarten!!!
(My wv is the weirdest yet -
qubqug)
Kelly
Home of Pass the Torch Tuesday
That was very touching, emotional, very very real. Thank you for sharing that.
Amy
btw i love your blog title!
Blessings!
i was in grade 8 when the challenger tragedy hit our world. i remember excitement. our teacher was going to let us watch the shuttle launch LIVE. and then shock and horror as the challenger was devestated before our eyes.
I was too young to remember Kennedy. (did you know C.S. Lewis and Aldous Huxley both died on the same day Kennedy was shot?) I was in my senior year of high school, in class when the challenger exploded. Someone brought in a tv from the media room and we watched the tape over and over. It was very sad.
Having read your blog I appreicate your appreciation all the more.
Thanks for sharing. It is amazing to see how many people appreciate these memories like we do ourselves.
I did not write a tribute; but this morning I recorded a few thoughts similar to this post. I started to include a timeline for significant "events" that have occurred during my life, but decided this wasn't the day to do that. But another day....
Off to read some more on TDWW
I do remember 9/11 very well.
I tell my story today too.
On 9-11, my mother woke me up with her phone call, saying we were under attack. I just stared for hours that day while my oldest daughter climbed on me and asked why i was crying.
Thanks for sharing your stories-- nicely done and beautifully written.