10 years ago.....

It's been 10 years since that dreadful day.  We all talk about where we were when it happened, when we found out or what we did the rest of that day.  It's amazing how we can remember with great detail a day that was filled with such chaos, trajedy and heartbreak. 

I remember waking up and noticing that is was a beautiful fall day.  I got Lauren and Rachel ready for school and we left the house around 8:10am.  We drove to Muhlenberg Elementary, where I dropped off Lauren who had just started third grade.  Rachel and I then drove to Jackson Elementary where she got on the bus to go to Lincoln Kindergarten Center.  I know now that I arrived at home at almost the exact minute that the first plane hit.  However, at the time, I had no clue what terrible event had just happened. 

I proceeded to turn on the tv, went to the kitchen and made breakfast.  I sat in the dining room for quite some time while reading the morning paper.  I do remember hearing some news reports interrupting whatever show had been on the tv and thinking "oh boy, another plane crash."  I walked by the television without glancing at it, turned it off and went upstairs to take a shower.  An hour later, at 11:15,  I left the house to pick up Rachel from school. 

When I got in the car, the radio was on and tuned to WYSP, Philadelphia.  I was surprised to hear Howard Stern still broadcasting his show, which is usually over by 10:30.  During my 5 block trip to Rachel's school, I was slightly confused what Howard Stern was upset about now....so I turned off the radio.  I parked the car about a block from the school, walked up the street and waited for her bus to arrive.  Now thinking back, I wonder why none of the other parents waiting for their children were not talking more actively about what had happened in the last 2 1/2 hours.  Did they not know either?  Were they just in awe and not able to talk about it?  Or was I in my own world and just not paying attention. 

Rachel's bus arrives and we proceed to walk back to my car.  We drove a few blocks away to Hamilton Mall, heading to the Main Post Office at 5th and Hamilton to pick up a package.  As we approach the area, there are roadblocks cutting off the street.  I stopped the car and looked around.  What I saw will be engraved in my memory forever.  U.S. Army vehicles lined Hamilton Street; police in riot gear, running down the street, carrying what looked to me to be very large and serious looking guns.  There was no one walking, shopping or sitting on benches.  An eerie silence fell over the usual bustling Hamilton Street. My first thought was that some criminal was on the loose downtown and there was a search underway.  I figured out later that the Federal Courthouse had been locked down due to the events that were still unbeknownst to me. 

I turned the car around and quickly drive to my brother's house a few blocks away from downtown.  As I pulled up next to his house, he is coming out his back door, with a look of disbelief on his face.  He quickly says,  "Can you believe what happened?"  Thinking back to what I saw on Hamilton Mall, I begin to get scared and reply, "What !? What is going on?"  He looks at me, puzzled and says, "You mean you don't know?"  Okay, so now I am no longer feeling scared, but instead sort of stupid for being so out of the loop, because now I start to realize that something big has happened.  My brother motions to go inside his house and we proceed to stare at the television, our mouths just hanging open, saying nothing. 

It's at this point that I finally find out about the events that were to change life in the United States forever.  I stood watching television for a few more minutes before getting in my car and driving home.   Upon arriving home, I find a message on my answering machine.  It was from the secretary where I work.  The Hartford was closing for the rest of the day and I didn't need to go in to work later for my evening shift.  What?  Did I hear that right?  The Hartford rarely even closes for 2 feet of snow.  This must be something serious going on.  And so it was.  The rest of day spent glued to the television, talking with neighbors and even though I now knew what happend, I still didn't really know or understand.  And guess I never will.

Back to School.....finally

First day of school, September 6....yeah right.  The kids did go off to school that day, but the high school only has students go for a half day on the first day....they were home by 11 am.  Of course, I had much anticipation for day two.  A full day of the house to myself.  It didn't happen !  Cringing at the sound of the phone ringing at 5:20 am, I knew what I was about to hear.  "This is Superintendent of Schools, Thomas Seidenberger.  The East Penn School District will be CLOSED today."  Noooooo, it can't be so.  Is the rain really causing that much of a problem?  Flooded roads....really?  Sigh......  Ok, so let's get through this day and tomorrow....nope, didn't happen the next day either.  That same annoying ring at 5:30am giving the same disappointing message.

Remnants of what was now Tropical Storm Lee were still dumping inches and inches of rain on our already saturated land.  Is there such a thing as a "stop-the-rain dance"?  If I knew there was, I would have for sure been out on my front lawn doing the moves.

Don't get me wrong, I love my children, very much.  But this summer has been a loooong one.  Even the kids were excited to get back to school and back into a "normal" routine. 

Aaaaahhhh, official day 2 of school and the first full day has finally happened.  I don't think I have ever seen so much enthusiasm to get up at 5:30 am to go to school.  In fact, I didn't have to wake Rachel !!  She actually woke me just before 6am and said "Mom, do you know what time it is?"  Hey that's my line !

Is this a sign of good things to come this school year ?  Let's hope the motivation keeps rolling right along.  I could get used to this.  180 school days until summer vacation.