Day Two, Heartbreak in America, Share Your Feelings
Yesterday I was in shock. Today I can't stop the tears.
I need to gather my thoughts and than I will be back.
Debbie
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Has anyone heard from dottie or Casey?? Please check in.
I heard a terrible thing on the radio a few minutes ago. At this time of national horror, there are still scum buckets out there who will try to make a dime. I have heard that in areas near NYC some gas stations are charging as much as $4.00 for a gallon of gas. These people should be ashamed of themselves!!!
I still find it so hard to believe. I feel so strange waking up this morning and starting my day, everything here seems so normal, but my mind is on all the chaos and horror of yesterday morning. I embrassed my family last night and took comfort in being together. My heart ached for the little children and families who would not have their mom or dad return home last night.
I attended a prayer vigil last night from our church, it gave me comfort to join together with my parish community.
A local woman, lost her daughter who was a flight attendant on one of the planes. Although, I do not know the woman, it brings the tragedity that much closer to home.
This morning, I woke early and spent some time thinking about yesterday. I won't be watching the news as I can't handle the devastation right now. It is the pure evil that makes me ill.
Then, we have people fighting at the gas pumps! How tragic that their only thought is about gas!
America WILL overcome this. We all know our nation well enough to believe that. But, we have forever lost our innocence and nothing will ever be as it was.
God bless America!
P.S. Yes, I did dive into my comfort food...Cheetoes!
Canada has lost its innocence too. We have always felt our American neighbours were invincible and a protection to us because of that. To see what happened has really shocked our country. This was a North American assault and I'm sure Canada will rally 'round the Flag - yes, the Stars and Stripes!
I am forcing myself to try to get back to normal this morning. We have to suck it up and get on with life.
I've been worried sick about Dottie and looked back over her bio. She works at a city hospital so perhaps that is the main reason we've not heard from her.
I saw the news clip of a little girl (about 8-9 yrs old) that was in the school across from the WTC. Her father works in the TC and she, her older sister and mom set out on foot looking for her father. Fortunately the ending was that she was Blessed to find her dad. Just made me start crying all over again for the many who will not.
I wish there was something I could do. I feel so helpless and I can't even donate blood. I finally turned the channel off the news and to a prayer channel and just sat and prayed for us and our nation with the television. It probably sounds stupid as I know there are prayers all over the world. I just needed to pray with someone.
I said I wished I could do something and now I can!
Got a call from the Red Cross in Ottawa (Canadian Blood Services) amd am going in to register more donors. They are absolutley swamped! Ottawa Hospital has 601 beds ready for the injured if needed but blood will definitely be needed.
How do you explain, or even discuss this with children? We tried to keep it from our children as much as possible last night, but I knew my 10 year old was upset, so we tried to talk about it. My 4 yr old wanted to know why my eyes were so wet all day and said it must have been terrible if we didn't go to the gym all day!
I can't seem to get a hold of my emotions. I'll be fine and then hear one sentence or word and I'm set off and crying all over again. I felt so sick yesterday I couldn't even eat. I don't think I slept all night without horrible dreams.
Isn't it strange how some people respond?? From the stories of amazing heroism and support to the stories of raising gas prices, some as high as $5.oo a gallon. And the personal reaction. I had a friend call last night wanting to know why I wasn't at the gym. When I said I had just been to upset to get myself out and about, she asked why...I said Well the news is pretty horrific, and she wanted to know if I had known someone directly invloved, I told her no and she said I was just "So Silly!' to be upset, as it didn't effect me in anyway!!! A lady at the gym this morning said, "Oh, did you hear the news yesterday? Wasn't that the strangest thing. Glad I don't live in NY!"
What bizarre ways to react to me. I keep telling myself that absolutly NOONE knows how they should act, so their responses are exceptable to them. But it brings out such strange things in people don't you think?
I'm going to find a prayer service to go to tonight. Yes, I've lived here 5 weeks and haven't found a church yet! Trust me, I've been told anything that can be said about that by the IN-LAWS!!!
Be strong and continue to pray, whether its with a TV MamaJ or in a church, temple, synagoge or your own kitchen.....it doesn't matter where...its the what!!
I'm with Tippy. I've had to turn off the tv because after a while it just gets to be too much, especially when I can't do anything. We're going to donate some money, but I can't even donate blood because of a blood condition. I hate feeling so powerless.
I had a tough time sleeping last night, as I bet a lot of people did. It just all seems so unreal. Like a bad movie plot somehow.
It was hard answering my 11 year old daughter's questions last night - things like "why does that man (meaning Bin Laden) hate America". We had a lot of discussion and after a while we turned off the tv and read to each other. She needed to think about something pleasant and feel safe (so did I).
I am proud of how most people have rallied and are trying to do whatever is in their power to make the situation less horrific. Hopefully, the ones trying to take advantage of the situation are the minority.
McMom, I had an ebay customer mad at me yesterday because her shipment would not be shipped out. I think it's easier for some people to just carry on as usual and not think about stuff because the enormity of the situation is overwhelming for them. Or else they're just shallow and selfish! Also, I agree with you about church. It's not where, it's that you do. I was talking to God a lot from my kitchen yesterday.
We hung a flag today. It makes me feel a little better to see it waving.
Hang in there my friends.
Chickadee
I've had to turn off the tv too and try to make my life as normal as possible. If I dwell on all the grieving and suffering that is going on and will continue to go on by the families and friends of the missing, my heart just aches for them.
Anybody who says this doesn't affect them is in total denial. It will affect all of us, no matter how far away from NY we may be and whether or not we knew anybody involved.
Next week, I'm supposed to fly to Scotland to visit my daughter. First of all, I'm wondering if there will be regular flights back in operation by then. Secondly, I'm wondering....well, you all know what my concerns are.
Then, I'm recalling how I felt about senseless violence and the destruction of war when I was a child. I was born during WW2 and have very clear memories of newsreel footage in the late 40s and through the 50s of wartime devastation and the proof of man's inhumanity to man. It terrified me. I was deathly afraid and needed constant reassurance from my parents that this was NOT going to happen to us. I have no idea how you parents with young children can deal with it but I urge you to discuss it thoroughly with them and make them realize that they are as safe as you can possibly make them but they also have to learn that life can be uncertain and we have to make the most of each day and treasure our life and our loved ones while we have them. And don't let a day go by without telling your children of all ages just how much they are loved.
I've been gone awhile, but you have all been in my thoughts. Especially now. I knew some of you live in NYC. My thoughts are with you all and I certainly hope Dottie is ok and just too busy helping people.
Ruth...as a real close nieghbor, I appreciate you thoughts for us Americans. Today I heard there was a 6-10 hour wait to get over the bridges back into the USA.
All the schools, malls, car factories, and large buildings in downtown Detroit was close yesterday and today.
I think the thing close to home that has upset me worse (and my DS) is the fact that ALL afterschool activities (college and under) were called off yesterday out of respect and so people can process their feelings with eachother.
Everyone but my sons football team!! We were the ONLY school to have practice. My son was appalled as was I.
BTW: most gas stations here are sticking around $1.65. Although some have gotten up to $3.00
My boys have handled this quite well. After school yesterday, I (as many other mom's did) called their children home for a talk. I sat them down infront of the tv and explained the day's events. Don, my 8 year old, was curious, and watched the tv with me for a while. Darren, my 6 year old, immediately asked if he could play with his neighbor. I am glad for his innocence.
My neighbor had a much more difficult time explaining this to her boys. She had to choose her words wisely and advise them to be careful. Their father is from Saudi Arabia, and sometimes crazy people want to blame all Saudies. My neighbors are great Americans, he has been in the States for about 15 years.
Good evening to all! What a terrible day for the world! The more I watch the more horrified I am. I asked my darling husband tonite ..what kind of world are our children growing up in...my son who is 4 asked why the bad men flew the plane into the big building. Mercifully he stays home with a sitter so his exposure is limited. My heart breaks for the families of the victims, and for those people aboard those airplanes who must have known they were doomed at the hands of madmen. Hug your husbands, kiss your children and thank god for your loved ones tonite...and everynight. God bless us all....we need it.
Just to reassure some of you, I read a post from her on another thread called "Check in Please" and she and hers are okay. She's been at the hospital and they are all losing hope. I pray for her and everyone in her situation, as well as everyone who has been touched by this event. I left work early yesterday just to be with my daughter, and the babysitter said "What's this got to do with you?" I wanted to hit her, she was so callous. This is our country. What happens to NY and DC happens to all of us. God bless all of you.
Day Two, Heartbreak in America, Share Your Feelings
