It was a beautiful morning, an average morning. Scurry to work for a 9AM staff meeting. Interrupted briefly by a supervisor with a 30 second notice - a hijacked plane crashed into the World Trade Center, terrorism. The TV's in the public rooms will be on.
Another update as the staff meeting continues. A second plane crashed into the Twin Towers. My thoughts are to Pearl Harbor, Mom's letter home from college on 12/7/41. Was this what it was like? But our enemy has no face.
There were rumors then of enemy aircraft over Westover Air Force Base. College women in hysterics; Mom went for a walk to get away and thus met a friend who remained close for life.
The buildings have collapsed, imploded. We plod on.
At 2 PM I go the the public area to face what I have heard. Not many people there now, some standing, some sitting, all silent. Say another prayer, get up, walk away. No one says anything. Numb. Was this what it was like? But our enemy has no face. No hysterics here; with a faceless enemy, no unversal thoughts this time of husbands and brothers and boyfriends off to war. Just unbelieving, immediate shock.
Some go home early, need to hold their children. Others force themselves to concentrate, deadlines to be met. Stopped at the grocery store on the way home - the adults aren't talking, we all have a haunted look. Do what you need to do and get home. The teenage cashiers and baggers are blissfully, blessfully, still innocently oblivious to the enormity of it all, laugh and talk of school, parties, normal events. But the adults know. Our enemy has no face.
Last updated: 09/13/01