We lived in Maryland at the time....actually on Pennsylvania Ave., just outside of DC. I worked in Northern Virginia and Jaden's sitter was just a few miles from the Pentagon.
I had already dropped Jaden off, and was at work when the first plane hit. I heard about it over the radio. We were all of course stunned and glued to our radios. There were a few co-workers who were concerned about loved ones close to the crash sites. Curtis was working on an electrical job inside DC, and once we learned of the Pentagon being hit as well, I freaked out!!!
I couldn't get through to Curtis' cell immediately because all the circuits were jammed (everyone calling loved ones as I'm sure you can imagine). I called the sitter and she hadn't even heard about what was going on yet. She wondered why traffic was piling up outside, even though the morning traffic should have been gone by then. Of course they were fine, but I was still terrified...at this point, no one had any idea if there were more planes coming and if so, where they were headed.
Finally, I got through to Curtis - they were already on their way out of DC. Word had spread fast and everyone was heading out. Thankfully, he had started leaving so soon...they ended up shutting down DC and lots couldn't leave. I wanted him to go get Jaden, and for us to just go home...but I couldn't leave my job, and there was no way that Curtis could get over to the sitter's.
I didn't get much work done that day (I don't think many people did). I stayed stuck to my radio, constantly praying that this madness would end. I would check out everything online and call Curtis like every hour. Later, I was glad that we didn't have a TV in our office...I don't think I could have handled seeing some of the things that were broadcast live that day.
I think about how this horrible tragedy affected me...I can't even imagine what the families who had loved ones inside of those buildings and planes were/are going through! My thoughts and prayers are still with them.
I will NEVER FORGET!
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