September 11,2001: How did you first hear about it?

[desertangel]

I first heard about it from my alarm clock radio... what a HORRIBLE TERRIBLE AWFUL way to wake up. First thing I did was turn on the TV... Peter Jennings was commentating. I rubbed my eyes, my mouth fell open, I lost my breath. Went and called my mother and said "Did you see what they did?!" She was still asleep, she got up, turned on her TV and panicked. She wanted me to drive over and pick her up, then drive south to get my daughter. Having lived through WWII, I'm sure she thought this was it. Because we're on the west coast, I told her to wait until we hear about Chicago, Dallas, etc. .. and I went to work. Everyone was in a state of shock, walking around like zombies. One lady went home in tears, said she couldn't deal with it. Our director gave carte blanche to anyone who wanted to go home and be with their families. Me, in my state of denial, stayed and worked until quitting time. I have to be honest and say my work place changed that day, and it still is not the same. It used to be fun and friendly, but that day, it stopped being fun and friendly. I often wonder how many other work places changed that day.