Remembering 911 and How My Family was Given a Second Chance.
September 11, 2010 by confab
Filed under Zen & Wellness
Photo Credit: Falling Man by Richard Drew, AP
Friday night I walked into the family room and found my two children plopped in front of the TV. They were not just watching. They were glued–eyes large as ping pong balls. They had chosen a documentary on the history channel about 911. I entered at during the tragic scene in which victims were jumping out of the towers because jumping from a 90 story building seemed to be a better choice than incineration.
“Turn it off”, I screamed. It was a gut reaction. My kids were barely two and three when those horrible events happened and we did our best as parents to shield their little eyes from the 24/7 news coverage. We struggled to keep them from seeing our own pain and suffering as we came to the brutal realization that our country had turned a corner and life in America would never be the same.
Fortunately, my more sensible side then took over, and I sat down with them and said, “You are old enough to know what happened to our country and how your own father was given a second chance that day.”
Then, I told them the story…
My husband was booked on American flight 11 scheduled to depart from Boston to LA on September 11, 2001. He was managing some of our investments in Boston, and part of his regular weekly routine included flying back and forth from LA to Boston, usually on American Flight 11.
Something happened–an unexpected change in plans. He finished his work a little bit early, and since my son’s second birthday was coming up on the 13th, he decided to catch a flight the night before. September 10th, he arrived safely in Los Angeles and we picked him up from the airport. September 11th, we both watched American Flight 11 crash into the World Trade Center from the comfort of our own bedroom.
We were lucky! For some reason, my husband was given a second chance. I have often wondered why and have spent a lot of time thanking God. I try to remember that when times are tough because I don’t believe second chances are coincidental. I truly believe there is some reason why our family was given a chance to stay together a little longer in this lifetime.
My son was born on September 13th. The number 13 conjures up a variety of superstitions. 13 has received such a bad-wrap that many public buildings still choose to eliminate the 13th floor altogether. People dread Friday the 13th and consider anything with a 13 to be unlucky. When he was born, just a few minutes past midnight, I couldn’t help ask, “Why God? Why couldn’t he have been born at 11:59 pm on the 12th to avoid this whole ‘unlucky’ thing?”
The day he was born, I received a congratulatory phone call from my lead account manager. “And by the way,” she said before hanging up, “I know the timing is bad, but I got a phone call from our biggest client this morning that they have selected another agency to handle their business next year.” I didn’t know what to think, so I just focused on the miracle in my arms.
That same day, while breastfeeding in an exhausted stupor, I watched Hurricane Mitch, which was bound for Jacksonville Florida, shift course to the North. It made a direct hit to Boston, destroying a building we had just purchased a week before. Would this day become a self-fulfilling prophecy? Again, I focused on the beauty of my son, bound and determined not to let superstition get the best of me. “It is just a number, not a destiny”, I thought, refusing to stamp “unlucky” on his budding identity.
On 911, I realized that my son’s “unlucky birthdate” was probably the reason that my husband is still with us. The stars aligned to create a miraculous set of circumstances. My husband was really excited about our boy’s birthday. He pushed himself extremely hard that week to get done early so he could get home to be with us. Luckily, there were seats available on September 10th so he could rebook. He actually made it to the airport on time and got on the plane which seems inconsequential, unless you know about his tendency to miss planes.
While we were watching the documentary, I cried for the families who were not so lucky. I prayed for them. I thanked God, AGAIN for giving us a second chance! Why us? I prayed for guidance to know what we are supposed to do with that second chance. I held my children’s hands while they gained insight and understanding to the terrible horrors that sometimes happen in life. I answered their questions and tried to quell their fears.
I don’t tell this story to illicit a “pity party”. I am sharing because as I watched the documentary on Friday night, I REMEMBERED! (How easy it is to forget, especially nine years later). I remembered what happened that day. I acknowledged what it represents to Americans, then and now. And I thanked my lucky stars that sometimes in this life we ARE given a second chance.
Photo Credit: The Will to Live
P.S. I am posting a link to another site called Grateful Heart. Patti wrote an amazing post about 911 that I think is worth reading.
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Wow! I am so happy for you and your family… Today is an emotional day for all of us. But for you, I’m sure it is filled with not only emotions of smympathy and mourning with those who mourn, but also with the wonderful emotions of love towards God for letting your family continue to be together a little longer. I can feel your grattitude and love; it is awesome! You must treasure these last nine years together.
~ Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Corine. Good to see you again and thanks for your empathy. Gratitude has become an important part of my daily routine. It just hits home a little more on days like today.
XO,
Kim
Just when we think everything in life can be explained a series of circumstances come together to give us a story like yours and make me realize that not everything in this world is known…. For some reason, that gives me hope.
I am glad your boys still have their daddy and you still have your husband. So many tragedies came of that day but there were also so many unheard miracles like yours. Thank you for sharing it and giving me a new little bit of hope.
Amanda,
That was a beautiful and much appreciated comment. Thank you for sharing the whole experience with me. It still mystifies me to this day. I am sure the families who lost loved ones in the tragedy will appreciate knowing how much support still lingers for them.
XO,
Kim
Thank you Amanda for sharing your story and reminding us to be grateful for God giving families second chances. That was a tragic day for all of us but to hear your story is a blessing to know how God can interject situations. God knew to spare your family. I am glad you have your ‘husband’ with you today and knowing your kids have their ‘daddy’ too! May you and your family have a blessing future ahead!
Always,
Candy
oh wow, what a story. It gave me the chills. Beautiful!
Hi Amanda – I came across your website today after you became my blog frog friend and I am so happy to hear that you and your family were given a second chance at having your husband safe and sound. My cousin’s wife, who is a nurse in Germany, was on top of the World Trade Center the day before 9-11. She stayed 3 days after it happened to help out down there. I am so glad to know that God spared your husband’s life and that your children are old enough now to understand the loss they almost felt. Lots of love and hugs to you and your family!
Hi Tracy, It’s Kim. Someone called me Amanda in a comment and it stuck. Thanks for reading my story. After reading it, I have heard a number of “close call” stories like your cousin’s wife. She is a brave woman. Nice to meet you and thanks again for stopping by.
Kim
You articulate this sooo well. You are very blessed and God definitely has other plans for your family.
Hi Tina, So glad to see you here. I miss seeing you all the time my friend! I am still trying to figure out what the plan is, but I do think he’s got something in mind! XO, Kim
wow, you really have so much to be grateful for every 9/11 anniversary. We’ve shielded our kids from it to, I can’t even talk about it without crying- I’m thinking next year we will watch a documentary together as a family and discuss.
God bless your family and your second chance.
Hi Jenny, I do have a lot to be thankful for. When I watched the documentary with my kids, I was surprised how well they handled the brutal reality of it all. I thank Him for that too. Looking forward to meeting you.
Kim
Kim,
I feel what you are saying. You and your family played a part in my journey, my second chance, and thanks for that.
Nothing can be measured against those victims of 911, the tragedy they face every year in memory of what happened to them.
I think your story is something uplifting and positive for us to remember, the second chance, and sometimes the only chance. That we should never take our mates, children or any family members for granted. From one moment in life to another place, we need to remind each other to focus on what we have, the blessings, and the chances to receive a better life, living in a place like America. As you know i do not have a husband, but I am grateful of our country, and especially the common thinking of everyone in America, to stay optimistic, and in love. I thank God everyday for the family I have, and also great friends like you. I wouldn’t be able to imagine life without you both in it..
Sandra
Sandra,
I can’t believe you found my blog! It’s been so long and it is so good to catch up with you. Since you know my hubby, you know first hand, how lucky I am that he made the plane and why I am so grateful he is still here.
911 affected us each in such unique and personal ways. I know people around the world took pause on that day to remember, and that is the amazing thing about that event. Thanks for reading. It touches my heart to know that there are people out there actually looking at this little configuration of digital space that I call my blog. And I am really grateful to have you in my life.
XO, Kim
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