I had taken my granddaughter to daycare and after chatting with her had enjoyed the quiet in the car as I returned home. As I came in the house my husband asked if I had had the radio on. I said no, and he said to look at the TV. They were replaying the horrific destruction and of course I didn't understand what had happened. My husband then proceeded to tell me what he knew.

Our son, who lives in a different town, had called his father. He was audibly shaken and I really think he just wanted to hear his parent's voice even though he is a grown man himself. He called again soon after I returned home and we just talked about our visits to New York and how we couldn't believe what had happened. He asked us to please keep in touch as we ended our call.

Then my daughter called wanting to know if I had heard whether or not our schools were closed. I said I hadn't heard anything, but would listen and of course go get her son from junior high if schools closed. She said to keep him with me and not to let him out of my sight. At that point I wanted to gather my children and grandchildren around me and just rejoice in them.

A tragedy like this makes me realize how very important my family and friends are. The little things that bother us about our friends and family are so inconsequential when we realize in a moment's time they could be lost to us forever.

We watched the TV the rest of the day horrified by the events. We didn't want to see the destruction and acts of terror but somehow couldn't bear to not see it. Even after watching the scenes of the airplanes striking the towers many times it doesn't seem real. This is what happens in those adventure movies. But it is real. America has been attacked.

Although I really don't fear for my safety or my family's, I wonder if I will ever feel safe flying again or going to high buildings. If an airplane seems to be flying low will I want to run and hide.