Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Where were you?

Where were you on this day 6 years ago? I was in Newark, NJ, right across the river from NYC. I was supposed to eat supper at Windows of the World in the WTC on the night of 9/11. I flew into Newark late on the night of 9/10 and was looking out of the plane as we flew near the WTC. My boss and I said to each other...there's where we'll be tomorrow night. Upon hearing the news the morning of 9/11 in a room full of hospital administrators from all over the state of NJ who were told to get back to their hospital's immediately...there was a major national emergency occurring, my boss and I knew we had to get the heck out of there and back to TN. We got the very last rental car (by telling the people we would bring the car back). We saw the smoke of the towers burning. We drove straight through a toll booth at about 70 mph. It was about an hour or so after we were on the road that my brain even stopped the mission of get me the heck out of here (and about that long to even get cell service) to slow down enough to call Jeff and my mom. I remember the relief in both of their voices. We drove from NYC to Baltimore, MD to pick up some colleagues. Neither one of us had ever, ever driven in that part of the country and had a small road map and the address of the hotel where we were supposed to pick them up. We drove straight to it with no wrong turns. We drove through some of God's beautiful country that day in a small car, with 4 people in the car that you would've never thought would be together. But I felt safe, blessed, and led. And I was scared. I didn't really see pictures of anything until that night in a small hotel room somewhere in Virginia. I was alone in the room, and I just remember seeing those pictures over and over...and how sad/mad/confused it made me. Time goes by so quickly, but it still makes me so sad/mad/confused.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Holy Cow. I've heard that story before but I still get chill bumps hearing it 6 years later. Just to know that you had arrangments to eat at the WTC that Tues. freaks me out. I am so thankful.....HP

Jennifer said...

What an amazing/freaky story! I am glad that you made it back to Chattanooga safely!! It is hard to believe that it has already been six years. I know that it probably seems much longer to all of the families who lost loved ones on that unforgetable day!

The Hadfields said...

I remember worrying so much about you Heidi! I was in my little apartment in Nashville and Paul's roomate called me (and everyone else he knew) to tell them to watch the news. I just remember being glued to the tv all day. It's so strange to think that 6 years have gone by. Seems like yesterday.

Anonymous said...

Hey Hide! I remember that day like it was yesterday. I was absolutely worried sick ALL day for my big sis! And just like Haven said, it still freaks me out to think you were supposed to eat there that night... so much I don't even like thinking about it! I can only imagine the panic you felt when all of those doctors/administrators beepers were going off! I was living with Stacey Williams at that time and I remember telling her and the first thing she said is I have to call Trent... he had already been called to duty!!! I love so much and am so thankful I can still physically tell you that!!