9 years later...

Photo courtesy of Ridgewood Camera Club

Nine years ago today, I was a senior in high school going through my daily routine when my mom came into the bathroom as I brushed my teeth. 

"Heather, I don't know what's going on, but come watch this."

Confused and a tad irritated, I went out to the family room where the local morning news was on. I frowned as I watched a plume of smoke come from the 1st World Trade Center, a building I had never heard nor given any thought to before.

"What is this?" I asked, confused.

"It's New York. A plane hit the building," she explained.

I stood there and watched for a few moments. Confused. Everyone was confused. There was speculation and reports that it was a small commuter plan. There was speculation it was a huge Boeing plane. Everyone was wondering why.

And as I turned to go finish getting ready, we horridly watched this:

photo courtesy of Pics Digger

The 2nd plane hit the 2nd tower. 

I'll never forget that image in my mind. The plane, at full speed, hitting the 2nd tower with a full explosion. 

I continued on in my daily morning activities and remember as I drove to school, listening to the radio trying to piece everything together. I got to the school parking lot and an old friend I had parted ways with rushed over. 

"Oh my gosh Heather! Did you hear what happened?" she asked. We chatted for a few minutes, trying to make sense of it. Nothing was making sense. But we were bonded in this moment.

The rest of the day was a blur. Lots of watching of the news. Two more planes crashing. Buildings falling. Rumors of a planes headed for Los Angeles. And loss...so much loss.

I'll never forget that day. 

Close to 3000 souls lost. 

6000+ people injured. 

Everyone changed.

Never forget.