Nine Years Ago....

It's about that time. People start remembering what happened nine years ago tomorrow. September 11, 2001.

Nine years ago I was living in my cute little efficiency apartment on Denver Avenue...the one with the bathroom bigger than the bedroom...the one with a shower on one side and a bathtub on the other. I hadn't met Houston and I was not yet back in school. I was working for CCISD at its administrative offices.

I remember sitting at my desk when I heard a woman (I remember her name but don't think I should post it here) walk in and say that a plane had just crashed into the World Trade Center. It never crossed my mind that there was any kind of attack. I thought that it was an unfortunate accident; accidents happen all the time. I pictured some tiny single engine aircraft with an amateur pilot and some family member misjudging the distance and crashing into the tower.

A lady who worked in the Academic Library right next to my desk turned on the television. I went in to watch CNN with her. Slowly, other people came in to watch with us. We were all amazed at the damage that had been done. It was clear that this was no small plane.

We never imagined that we would see another plane crashing into the other building. At that point, everyone started crying. It was now clear that there was some kind of attack, but that it was happening on our own soil was unfathomable.

I knew I would always remember where I was that day - in that moment.

I can't always remember the events that followed. I do know that it was a horrible, somber day. The internet was virtually inaccessible. Cell phone service was unreliable. And two more planes went down.

I remember hearing people say that bad things happen in threes.
September 11, 2001 - these horrible attacks occur
December 11, 2001 - my uncle dies in a tragic accident
February 15, 2002 - my mom is diagnosed with cancer

I can't stand the number 3.