I remember exactly what I was doing.

I was a freshman in college. Ford Hall Room 208. My bed was lofted. My roommate Angeline’s bed was perpendicular to mine under the loft.

I had Intro to Engineering as my first class that morning.

My alarm clock went off. I didn’t snooze it. That was something we had discussed as “forbidden” after our first week of cohabitating. Actually, Ang (best friend) threatened to “punch you (me) in the face if you don’t stop that snoozing s**t. Don’t set it if you don’t plan on getting up.” (We are real with each other like that.)

She had already left for a 7:30am class across campus.

The sun was shining in our east window thru the blinds. The cinder block walls were painted a cream color. I felt for my glasses. I turned on our dorm room television. I like noise while I get ready.

The first plane had hit the World Trade Center a few minutes earlier. It took me a while to figure out what was going on. The reporters weren’t sure what was going on either. At this point it was just a News Special Report.  I sat with my legs hanging off the loft. Still wrapped up in my turquoise and green comforter.

We have a family friend who I consider an uncle. He’s a pilot. I immediately tried to confirm with family that he wasn’t flying with that airline.

I remember looking at the clock. I had to get dressed for class. The professor took attendance as part of the grade. I checked my email to see if he had cancelled class. I needed to know what was going on in NYC. Surely he would cancel class!

As I was pulling on my pants, the second plane hit. I recall sitting on the floor next to her bed. This wasn’t an accident.

This wasn’t an accident.

This wasn’t an accident.

The news showed things falling from the buildings. Not things – PEOPLE. Mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, friends.

I cried, completely stunned by what I was witnessing LIVE on television.

I had to leave for class. I threw my backpack on and hiked across campus to Fiedler Hall. Worthless class. What was going on?

When I returned to my room after class, I learned that two more flights had crashed- into the Pentagon and in a field in Pennsylvania. I was glued to the news for the remainder of the day.

The bright blue sky was dotted with only white clouds. No jet trails. Just clouds.

The rescue efforts. The fear. Sadness.

But in all this, the nation pulled together. People prayed. We held vigils. We made contact with those around us to comfort, support, and provide kindness.

9/11/2001. I will never forget.

9/11/2001 Timeline.