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A cab driver asked me yesterday if I had been in the city on September 11, 2001.

Yes, I said.  I was there.

There?  he asked, confused.

Because “here” would be New York City.

And “there”?  There is just inconceivable.

To have watched, live and in color as the world around you cracked and tumbled to the ground.  To have run, as if your life depended on it.  Because it did.

Is just inconceivable.

To say I am on edge today is an understatement.  I know we are not supposed to live in fear, but as the threat levels heighten and police checkpoints grow increasingly stringent and I see more and more cars on the FDR drive pushing their way out of the city as quickly as possible.  I can’t help but tremble a little bit, the smell of ash from that day lingering in my nostrils, ten years later.

We will never forget.

To read my tribute from last year, and about my experience being there on that day, please see this post.

And everyone, be safe today.  Promise me.

You are reading this post on Eats Well With Others at https://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of Eats Well With Others. All rights reserved by Joanne Bruno.
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41 Responses to 9/11/2001

  1. Hannah says:

    Joanne… I’m speechless. I had no idea.

    While you have absolutely every right to be afraid, I know for a fact just how brave and strong you are, because if nothing else, you survived in this impossible tragedy. No one can take that strength from you, ever.

    (Big hug!)

  2. Big Dude says:

    I can’t imagine actually being there and I’m sure you’ll never forget it.

  3. I went back and read your tribute from last year – I had no idea you were there. I haven’t met anyone close to my age who was actually there, and I can’t even imagine the kind of impact that leaves on a person. I was in 7th grade, 4 hours away from the city and I still remember everything about that day. I think it must have been terrible, but you’re so much stronger for it. You are going to have a long, amazing, incredibly well-fed life!

    Hugs from Rome!

  4. Just read your other post which I hadn’t read before. After reading your post I now realise that I actually underestimated the huge impact this has on peoples lives. I didn’t experience it firsthand so I guess I will never fully understand it.

  5. Jeanette says:

    Although I was not in the city, I had many friends who were and many people in our area lost loved ones. I have been on edge myself, I don’t think it’s possible for anyone to not be affected by 9-11, especially those who lost loved ones or were in NYC that day. May you stay safe my friend.

  6. Julie says:

    Joanne: I remember reading your post last year and how moved I was by it. Sending you hugs and blessings today!

  7. Pierce says:

    Well said. Stay safe, my friend.

  8. Candace says:

    You are beautiful, intelligent, sweet, funny and compassionate and destined to do big things in this world. You are an overcomer and you are brave. I had no idea just how brave you really are until I read your very moving post this morning. I had not read it before and had never considered that you might have been there on that day. You are in my thoughts and prayers….today and everyday. Stay safe! hugs, Candace

  9. Mo 'Betta says:

    {hugs}

    Sometimes, there are no words.

  10. kate says:

    I can’t believe you were only a freshman in HS that day. I was there too. Not as close as you, but close enough to be scared for my life. I was 7 months pregnant, and walking to work in lower manhattan.
    Scariest day of my life by far. I can’t even imagine being in high school, and only 3 blocks away!
    I’m so happy you ran, and are still here to tell your story. [hugs]

  11. Julie says:

    be safe today lady love <3

  12. Anonymous says:

    Read your post from last year just now. From your recollection of that day I could feel the emotions and just see in my mind the moments of my day that day. Just like you I am experiencing the heightened security this weekend here in DC. Prayers and blessings for you Joanne xoxo

    Sarah
    treschicchef

  13. polwig says:

    Beautiful, stay safe and never forget.

  14. That Girl says:

    You were “there” because frankly, that NYC, that state of America no longer exists. “Here” is a far different world than 10 years ago.

    My husband’s first trip to NYC was in 2008. Even then, staring into holes that were more than landmarks, it was clear that more than just the landscape had changed from the NYC I had known.

  15. Ada says:

    Everytime I read your post from last year, I seriously get teary-eyed. I feel like actually being in NYC during 9/11 is so much different than watching the events unfold on TV far away. It really rocked our sense of security in our daily activities and felt so intrusive to our beloved city. I can’t even imagine what it must have been like for you to watch the towers fall.

    All of these security threats this weekend are super scary. I’m actually more worried about tomorrow, though, because I feel like that’s when people will let their guard down. I hope you are doing well and we should definitely get together soon!

  16. Lea Ann says:

    I can understand you being on edge. First thing I did this morning was turn on the television to see if anything had “happened”. Hugs

  17. It is inconceivable to know what it was like to be so close to the buildings that day. I have a relative who was there and survived and I know that it changed his life. How could it not? It will forever be a day you will never forget. One day you will hopefully feel less on edge.

  18. Thanks for writing this. I have been trying to get words on “paper” today and it just did not feel good enough to share. Words do seem so weak when discussing 911. You did it just right.

  19. sally says:

    I’m moved by this post and your post from last year. I also just posted some memories from 9/11. Be safe and take care of yourself!

  20. It must be such a stressful day in New York today. I can’t believe ten years have gone by.

  21. Cara says:

    Thank you so much for sharing this. For many of us its stories like yours which truly put things into perspective and remind us to be thankful, always, Hugs, my friend.

  22. Carolyn Jung says:

    I actually flew home today from Oregon. Part of me did feel a little anxious about it. But the rest of me thought that I wasn’t going to let the actions of terrorists dictate my life. I watched the somber images of the memorial service at Ground Zero this morning and felt for all the victims and survivors all over again. But I was also heartened to see that as horrific as that event 10 years ago was, it has not defeated us in any way, shape or form.

  23. I remember your post last year and how it struck me. I can not even imagine how you felt that day and how you feel with the new threats. Take care of yourself and know you are in my thoughts and heart.

  24. Beth says:

    What a lovely tribute. I can’t imagine what it would have been like for you on that day. Take care and stay safe.

  25. Reeni says:

    You’re the first person I thought of when I woke up this morning. I vividly remember your post from last year. It’s unforgettable. Sending a big HUG!!

  26. Yes, I remember reading your post last year. Time flies, I just can’t believe that it has been 10 years. I hope the time has somewhat helped to ease the pain a little for all who were affected.

  27. That must have been such a terrifying experience for you. Stay safe.

  28. RJ says:

    I read your tribute post- It’s so hard to believe 10 years have passed from that day. *hugs*

  29. Sofia says:

    my heart goes out to you, joanne, for having to witness such a horrifying day up close and personal. stuyvesant was my first choice high school (who didn’t get in… that would be me) and after that day i was so grateful that i wasn’t down there on that day. you are a brave soul, lady. hope today was manageable for you. lots of love.

  30. We watched the footage of the WTC memorial yesterday and I’m heartened by the courage, pride and dignity of the American people. I sent my prayers and wishes to the victims and their families too and wish to share my blog post in honour of them with your readers too. God bless.

    http://chopinandmysaucepan.com/spring-2011-a-season-for-renewed-hope

  31. Johanna GGG says:

    my thoughts are with you joanne – sounds like a terrible experience – hard to remember but important to remember also!

  32. Sanjeeta kk says:

    Oh god..it feel so scary to just read about the happening and being near to the incident really would have been a nightmare, Joanne.

  33. Yasmeen says:

    Thoughts are with you, Joanne.

    I’m from DC. I was just a mile away when it happened. My brother was en route to the WTC for a meeting, only to feel sick and turn back home. His boss died that day in his place. I’ll never forget how it felt to hear his voice on the other end of the phone, thinking I might not.

  34. Barbara says:

    Yes, Joanne, I understand. My daughter lived/lives 4 blocks from ground zero and saw both planes go into the towers. It was a day of terror and shock for everyone, but particularly those of you in NYC.

  35. WOW! Joanne, I just got through reading the tribute and it was breaking my heart to think of what day that was but thankful to see how strong it made you and the woman you are today. Events like this only make us stronger and our faith stronger. I am so glad nothing happened yesterday and that pasta you made was beyond AMAZING! The perfect tribute in my opinion

  36. I remember reading your post about being there. Watching the coverage yesterday, feeling all the emotion over again was nauseating, maddening, terrifying and heartbreaking all over again. I can’t even imagine being there in person, much less being a young student with only your teachers and classmates to hang onto for support.

  37. I cannot even imagine. I live thousands of miles away from NYC and I don’t know anybody personally that was affected. But even though ten years have passed, watching the coverage still makes me weep.

  38. Will go check out your post from last year. Girl, I cannot believe you were there…NYC is one heck of a special place. I could not handle watching everything on TV yesterday…again. So disturbing.

  39. i have been crying off and on since yesterday. everytime i read another account – especially from a New Yorker – it’s too much, it’s all there again. I can’t imagine being “there”. Hope you got thru the day as best you could.

  40. I didn’t realize you were in the city on 9/11. Read your old post… so well-written but unreal.

  41. Rai says:

    I just realized you have, like, 7 blogs. That’s insane! When do you find time to save people’s lives!?

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