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Margarette Special user Memphis area 956 Posts |
I am having extreme difficulty in dealing with the upcoming five-year anniversary of the events of September 11, 2001. Am I the only one having difficulty dealing with this anniversary? I've already warned my co-workers and bosses that Monday will be extremely difficult for me. Just keep the co-worker that I will be traveling with on Monday in your thoughts and prayers!
Margarette
The only stupid question is the one not asked.
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rossmacrae Inner circle Arlington, Virginia 2475 Posts |
You gots ta TRAVEL on 9/11? I feel for you - you might want to consider preparing by drinking heavily.
Different people react to traumatic events differently - never be ashamed that you know yourself well enough to anticipate this reaction (which IMO is well within the normal range). Your suffering is real, though of course you should do your best to keep to a reasonable level the amount of it you dump on your colleague. Act like an adult about it, and then make no apologies at all for whatever amount exceeds your efforts to keep your composure. |
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RandyStewart Inner circle Texas (USA) 1989 Posts |
Margaret, I wouldn't worry about it. To the cowards responsible, an anniversary means nothing.
So it happened to the day this coming 9/11 but what about the last and the one before? To such a terrorist mind, any, and most days are good days for their activity. They also act on the unsuspecting during unsuspected times. Anniversaries just aren’t low alert times and too many people focused on scrutinizing suspicious activity. I'd rather fly on such an anniversary. |
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Chessmann Inner circle 4242 Posts |
Why do you suppose that it is hitting you so hard, Margarette?
My ex-cat was named "Muffin". "Vomit" would be a better name for her. AKA "The Evil Ball of Fur".
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Cliffg37 Inner circle Long Beach, CA 2491 Posts |
I am with you lass.
Speaking as a New Yorker, who watched those towers being built, speaking as one who used to work in tower two, I also get hit hard by the anniversary. I think it is normal to feel something when the country you love and care about gets raped, and 3000 some innocent people are slaughtered for a madman to prove some point that I can't fathom. It is normal Margarette, just work though it as best you can. That is what I am doing.
Magic is like Science,
Both are fun if you do it right! |
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Jonathan Townsend Eternal Order Ossining, NY 27297 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-09-07 21:31, Margarette wrote: You are not alone. Our media are pushing this reminder of a tragedy as an "anniversary" and "potential threat" day.
...to all the coins I've dropped here
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Margarette Special user Memphis area 956 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-09-08 00:05, Chessmann wrote: I'm not sure why this anniversary is hitting me so hard...the others didn't affect me like this. But then, it might be because I made a trip to NYC last year. I didn't visit Ground Zero because of a personal choice, but I did see the changed skyline of Manhattan from the Staten Island Ferry. It might be that because until I actually saw it for myself, the full effect of the events of that day weren't "real". Yes, I know the events did happen, and I know I lost two cousins in the Towers, but until I saw the skyline for myself, real and in person, I may have tried to keep telling myself that it was all just a bad dream. Margarette
The only stupid question is the one not asked.
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rossmacrae Inner circle Arlington, Virginia 2475 Posts |
Sometimes I surprise myself - usually I can deal with negative events and still tend to the necessities-of-the-moment without getting stalled (heck, SOMEBODY still has to pay the bills and get the kids to school) - my wife thinks I'm a bit heartless because her family flies into a tizzy whenever a second-cousin visits the hospital. But when I see a pre-9/11 movie, and there's the New York skyline with the towers still standing, I get a chill I just don't get at other times.
I live about 2 miles from the Pentagon, and on 9/11 I was recovering from a stroke and unfit to drive ... my older son was in school about half a mile from the Pentagon. It took a lot of convincing to get me to stay home and not get the car to the school somehow. I don't feel entitled to feel "shellshocked" because others were faqr more directly involved. Also, our tragedy in DC took far fewer lives and the rescuers here weren't killed as they were in New York. Here, the geopolitical meaning of the Pentagon attack overshadows the human toll we suffered on 9/11, especially because we have a large number of high-ranking military families nearby, and we often get distracted from the thought of any local danger - every time there's something in the news, we are reminded that the fathers and mothers we see weekly at Cub Scout meetings might be on the battlefront at a moment's notice. Even before 9/11, it was an unnerving feeling to visit the Pentagon as I was called upon to do several times, and pass through the open center area - there's a little vending kiosk exactly in the middle, and I just couldn't shake the thought, "I'm standing on the exact spot where more than one missile is targeted." Like you, I'd feel awfully uneasy about flying on any September 11th. Our experience here makes me uneasy several times a day wondering whether that surveillance helicopter passing low overhead is on a routine flight, or alerted to some current threat - or wondering exactly what is in the back of that unmarked panel truck just ahead of me on the bridge into the city. I'll tell you, Margarette, what we all have to keep telling each other: have courage. |
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Leland Stone Inner circle 1204 Posts |
My concern is not that Margarette -- and others like her -- have such profound feelings regarding this date, but rather that so many do not.
In the aftermath of 9/11, I discussed with another Magician the events of the day, calling them a watershed moment in our Nation's history (on par with Pearl Harbour, for example). He dismissed this notion, saying that the event was unlikely to remain in our collective consciousness for very long at all. It seems that I must reluctlantly agree with that dismal assessment. In our MTV culture we have traded away a sense of history for tabloid trivia; the Greatest Generation was followed by the Pepsi generation who in turn brought along Generation X. What in previous times would have galvanised our citizenry into a greater sense of patriotism and unity has instead disintegrated into little more than a passing thought. There are pockets of deep remembrance, of course, where moment and gravity are solemnly acknowledged; where the sacrifices of those who offered "the last full measure of devotion" are afforded due yet still inadequate reverence; where the cost of liberty is reckoned as very high indeed. But elsewhere, hype is prevalent, and looking behind it -- the television movies, the Capitol wrangling, the whining of a former President -- what substance is found there? What lasting sense of "we," as in "We the people," and "E Pluribus Unum," has this most horrific terrorist attack on America's soil inspired in Americans? Leland |
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Being on the other side of the country I was not emotionally effected by the tragedy of 9-11. It is easy to keep the situation contained as an abstract as I had no Friends or relatives that were killed or injured in the mishap. Much like many of the people in this country look at the victims of the recent Tsunami. Horrible yes, but something that happened far, far away to people we didn't know.
I am more horrified by the after effects of 9-11 than I was the tragedy itself. But since political discourse is not allowed on these boards I will have to refrain from elucidating further.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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Jonathan Townsend Eternal Order Ossining, NY 27297 Posts |
A friend's family lived and continues to live just a few blocks away.
Three weeks after the event, I saw the space where the towers stood from the highway in New Jersey. I saw the on-site lighting illuminate the column of smoke creating what looked like a ghostly image in the place where the world trade center was. My friend told me the place was still burning. That Thanksgiving extended family who teach at Stuyvesant High School told stories about the area and its coat of ash which finally washed away in the fall rains. Now FINALLY stories about the air quality issues are coming out in the media. I will not make political comment about our government or those who believed such an act was in any way useful. I will decry the use of our media to create unease in our society.
...to all the coins I've dropped here
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Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
"I am more horrified by the after effects of 9-11 than I was the tragedy itself."
It is statements like that that are the reason political arguments are not allowed on the forum. Though that one line was enough I'm sure to get some dander up on more than a few here. grrrrrrrrrr.
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
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irossall Special user Snohomish, Washington 529 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-09-08 13:56, Doug Higley wrote: I think what Payne is saying is 9/11 is being used as an excuse by the powers to be, to take away our own freedoms here in the U.S.A. and to be honest, I agree with Payne (please correct me Payne if I am wrong). Nobody in their right mind could think that 9/11 was anything less than tragic. Iven
Give the gift of Life, Be an Organ Donor.
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Vandy Grift Inner circle Milwaukee 3504 Posts |
I'm pretty sure we know what Payne is saying.
Besides the hassles at the airport, what rights have you lost? And are they worth the price to protect you and your fellow citizens? A lot of the talk of "lost rights" is hysterical nonsense. In many cases it's the painting of a false picture by the same people that accuse the Government of painting a false picture of the terror threat. What I'm saying is that not a lot of people can honestly claim that their rights have been trampled upon. Yes all our lives have changed. However, there is no doubt about what went down on 9/11. The threat of terror attacks is not a percieved threat. It's very real, we have been seeing it for years. And, apparently, even 9/11 has not proven to be enough of a wake up call. Maybe it's easier to rail against what isn't than actually face up to, and rail against, what really is. I guess it's just easier to fight a straw man than a real enemy. NOTE TO MODS; If you must delete my post, that's fine. Please don't punish Margarette by deleting the entire thread. I took it here, noone else.
"Get a life dude." -some guy in a magic forum
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Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
Bingo Vandy. And goodbye thread.
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
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Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
It's something I can't forget.
My company was about to close in a week or so. The printing presses were quiet and a few of us sat around discussing what we might do. A fellow comes by and mentions that a plane hit a tower. First thoughts were a small plane. A coworker and I decided to go to a place called Rifle Camp Park on Garrett Mountain. There were many cars and at the panoramic viewpoint we could see the smoking tower. The police chased us all but as we walked through the Nature Center there was a TV. The announcer sounded shocked and as we looked we saw the first tower collapse. Fright, saddness, confusion was on every face. An seeming impossible danger had appeared in our back yard. What was next?? Between being put out of work and this nightmare I felt my imagination run wild and that the world had been pulled out from beneath me. Later, looking out at NYC skyline without the WTC, it felt like someone had turned back time. |
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kregg Inner circle 1950 Posts |
Aside from the senselessness of the act; instead of sadness, think of the way people around the world united in an eruption of compassion. Remember the brave and the heroic, the countless stories of sacrifice and the generosity. This is the true part of the human spirit, even the meek showed strength.
Sadly, some retreated to political corners much too soon, too often supplanting their pain with denial. Yet, as a true blue american - I wouldn't want it any other way , for my rights are still firmly in place. Remember, the best of the human spirit was revealed on that day and the days following September 11.
POOF!
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Lambertmoon Loyal user 240 Posts |
My brother-in-law is NYFD and was called in before the collapse. Watching the buildings collapse and not being able to contact anyone in the area (all circuits were down) was painful. The feeling of helplessness was overwhelming. It wasn't until late that night we were able to talk and be assured he was okay. He lost a lot of buddies that day and went to more funerals then you can imagine.
I met my wife when she worked at the WTC and I think all New Yorkers had or have ties to the WTC in some way. It was a horrible day and every time I see a clear clear blue sky, I think of that day. I heard CNN was going to replay the events that occured that day in real-time. Is anyone really interested in watching that over again? |
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RandyStewart Inner circle Texas (USA) 1989 Posts |
Well since the topic is still alive, I have an incredible (coincidental?) story of a dear friend. She is a Russian gal who's father owned a major mortgage company in Dallas. Three months before the assault on 9/11, she sold the company to re-open in, you guessed it, the Twin Towers. Being from Russia and now a die-hard American she said it would be the new home of her business. As long as she could remember, images of the Statue of Liberty and Twin Towers mean't most to her.
We had a going away party for her a week before boarding the private flight and she promised me the royal tour of her new office and the Towers. She was closer to another friend of mine who talked to her a couple of times a week. I usually got word about her through him. I didn't think I'd ever be dialing the number but I frantically called her office number while hearing of the event on the car radio. No answer and left a message for her to call ASAP and tell me she was OK. I knew she started her business day very early in the morning and worked late. Where was Anna that morning? She was lying in bed taking HER FIRST WORKDAY OFF. The night before, she’d had too much to drink and was hung over and feeling sickly. She was to meet with a client at her office and decided to call and reschedule him the next day. He said it wasn't a problem as he was in New York for a week. While on the phone with her, he said he was just a couple of blocks from the towers and was going to tour the building anyway. He was later counted among the dead. His last words to her were "See ya Wednesday morning darlin!".... |
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Keairao New user Toronto, Ontario 12 Posts |
It was a horrible day. I woke up to the first tower falling. I made two calls at that point. One to my father, and one to the Red Cross. My father is a Toronto Fire Fighter. He was one of the first to sign up to go to NYC to help out. I wanted to know if he could bring me. I'm an Emergency First Responder and ambulance attendant. Although niether of us knew any of the people who lost their lives that day, we felt as if we lost our brothers and sisters. I've never seen my father cry, but he was *** close that day, and afterwards. Niether of us were selected to go, but our thoughts and prayers were with everyone there.
The above posters are right. Out of this tragic event shone the greatest parts of the human spirit. For once it was okay to cry, to mourn and to show love for your fellow man. It's something that we should do more often (and not just when something horrific happens). I remember walking around that day, everyone was in a daze, strangers spoke openly with each other and shared hugs and support. I don't think any of us will ever forget this tragic event. It's natural that the anniversary will bring up old fears, and open old wounds. Margarette, You're not alone in feeling the way you do. Try to take some time to allow yourself to feel (instead of putting on the brave face all day) Just take 5 mins when you can be alone and have a good cry. Call a loved one and tell them how you're feeling and how much they mean to you. And know that many of us will be doing the same thing. Either at a public memorial or in our own personal way, we will remember what happened, and pray that the world can find some way to live in peace and tolerance and love. |
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