Where I Was On September 11, 2001

I was getting ready to go to work.  I was still a court reporter then.  I had a trial to go to that morning.  At the time I opened the door to leave, I still thought that the first plane was an accident until live on television, I saw the second plane intentionally slam into the other tower.  I was immediately consumed by fear, broke out in hives for several days after.

I drove to Birmingham, listening to the radio news the whole way.  Nervously, I set up my steno machine in the courtroom.  Everyone in the jury box, the bailiffs, the clerk, and me had the same look on our faces.  I remember thinking how in the world they or I were going to pay attention to the testimony of that day.  When the judge came out, he said that court was going to have to wait for another day as he was being militarily activated...panic hit me then.  I packed up to go back to my office and walked through Linn Park, crying.

Jonathan was paving Hwy 77 in Southside that day.  He happened to call at that moment in the park and started singing to me as soon as I answered the phone, When the World Ends by Dave Matthews Band.  It was then that I could smile for the first time all day.  I had never felt so much fear for my country and sorrow for thousands of people and families I'll never know.  I learned love of country from my grandfather, and I haven't forgotten it.  And I will never forget that day and what it means.