September 11

Four years ago, I was in my mid-town office in New York, just a few minutes before 9am, when the events of September 11 began to unfold.

I got a call shortly after 9am from a then co-worker who happened to still be on his way to work. Nick asked me if I had heard about a small plane that just hit the World Trade Center. That was just about the most preposterous thing I have ever heard in my life. I dismissed the call and said I would check the internet.

I don't recall anymore at what point the office realized that what was happening was real. Mike's, my boss, apartment was just a few blocks away and we decided to watch the news there. I don't know if anybody can ever be prepared to see what has just transpired, let alone experience it. I was one of the lucky ones. I could have been in the PATH train and transferring to the New York subway at the World Trade Center.

At that point, the entire New York City was shut down. No buses and trains going in and out. That was just about a half-hour after I came to work.

Not long after, I decided to try to make it back to Jersey City. I heard that the ferries are running. I was able to get a hold of my husband Rolando to let him know that I was going to try to get to some friends who work in the City and make our way home.

I got a hold of my friend Pam and we proceeded to the ferry station in Chelsea Piers. That was about a 30-block walk. There was heavy military presence along the way, with a mass exodus of people in different states of confusion, disbelief, terror, and sorrow. I have never been in a war zone, and that was probably the closest I have been to one. Choppers and fighter planes buzzing. Soldiers with big weapons all lined up. People fleeing. The smoke and smell of a massive inferno.

It took a while to get on to the boat and to the other side, with thousands of people waiting to get to safety. I think it was close to 2pm before the ride that I was in docked in Weehawken where Rolando was waiting.

Right now, all I want to do is remember. For myself. For the fortunate ones. For those who perished.

There is more that I can say. And right now, all I'd like to do is to remember.