It took me most of the day to think about what I wanted to write that would be fitting of the tenth anniversary of one of the most pivotal points in my lifetime's history. I would have to say that there were only three events where I will always remember "where I was" when it happened or when I first heard about it: The assassination of John F. Kennedy, the Challenger Explosion, and 9/11.
Of course, the 9/11 terrorist attacks eclipse those other somber events simply because of the scope, magnitude, and unprecedented attack on mainland America during a time of peace (officially).
As I opened the morning paper, most of the main section was devoted to the people from Connecticut who perished in the terrorist attacks. Some I had heard before; others were new to me. Reading story after story made me feel that 9/11 was much more recent, because the horror doesn't recede in one's mind. Full pages were dedicated to "Never Forget" pleadings, as if any of us would or could forget. Just as I remember every detail of where I was and what I was doing when JFK was assassinated almost 48 years ago, I am certain that I am never going to forget 9/11.
I had taken the train from New Haven into Grand Central Station on the morning of 9/11 for a conference (ironically on innovation and disruptive technologies). It was the first time that I had been in NYC in over five years, although I used to work in the city during college. In attendance were several journalists from various publications, who were getting cell phone calls shortly after 9:00. Of course, the conference was cancelled as soon as it became known what really happened. We sat in the lobby of the hotel and watched over and over again the footage from the cameras.
Cell phone service was shut down, so it was quite a while before I could contact my family about where I was and they were frantic. I had told them beforehand that I was going to NYC but I didn't tell them where (does anyone provide the exact the address of the meeting or conference?). I was safe in midtown, but they didn't know that. And if the confernece had been held in lower Manhattan, I still would have signed up for it.
Which leads me to the thoughts that occupied my mind today. A moment in time, one way or another, we can be safe or we can be sorry. How many people could have booked their flights the day before or the day after? How many people could have gone into work late that day or opted to work at home? Why did I sign up for a conference on that day? It's momentous, really, how a few seconds or minutes can change a life. The event still would happen, but who is affected is a crapshoot. Shivers go up my spine when I read about someone who should have or shouldn't have been where they were that fateful day. It could have been any of us, and we know that. The terrorists could have targeted any community, any commercial flight, any particular day.
So in honor of 9/11, we remember the day, remember those who died, and are forever grateful that, but for the grace of God, we are still here. We need to remember, cherish every moment, and try to make this world a better place. But we will never forget.
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Peggy Chirico, REALTOR®
Serving the Greater Hartford Area
Prudential CT Realty
peggychirico@gmail.com
860-748-8900
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