Even though it happened three years ago, every year on September 11th, I can't help but think about New York City.
I watched a memorial on the web this morning and it made me cry. It was the voices of people screaming into their cell phones that they were going to die and that they loved whoever it was that they were talking to. I couldn't help but cry.
Sometimes I have dreams about losing my loved ones, and I wake up feeling horrible, and though I'm not particularly close to my family, I can't help but be reminded of how much I love them on days like today.
**********FLASHBACK*****************
On September 11th, 2001, I had woken up to an empty house. I had just started my Senior year of High School and I was running late.
I had a swim meet that day. I was the captain of our Varisty team. I scrambled to get my things together and much to my dismay I discovered that my goggles were broken. The entire way to school I bitched and moaned to myself that they were broken and I needed to get them fixed NOW. I got to school at about 7:40.
I immediately ran to the shop because I knew the shop teacher, Mr. Newhouse, really well and I thought maybe he'd have some kind of strong glue that I could use to fix them. I ran into the shop classroom because class started in 10 minutes and when i got there, a large T.V. had been set up in front of the class room and a bunch of people were crowded around it.
I didn't know what was going on, I didn't care really, I just wanted my goggles fixed because the bus was going to leave in about a half an hour for my swim meet.
I didn't realize the severity of what was going on until I was waiting for my teacher to get off the phone and saw the second plane hit.
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My meet wasn't canceled, I still swam and did pretty well too. I remember I got my first 1st place finish in the 200 IM that day. A t.v. was set up by the pool for the spectators to follow the events.
Even though I loved swimming and competition, all I wanted to do that day was go home.
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So, today, I think everyone should call their friends and families and let them know how much you care about them. Just because.