The question of the day seems to be where were you 13 years ago – September 11, 2001?
It was a Tuesday and here in Texas it was a beautiful day.
I had just spent a fabulous weekend with my quilting friends in Round Top, TX at our annual Fall Retreat and my beautiful niece had even flown in from SLC to spend the weekend enjoying the hill country and sewing.
I was working as the service manager for Marine Max in Seabrook, TX. I had driven over to our accounting office on the other side of the lake and as I left to return back to my office I called my sister in Atlanta, GA to see how she was doing. She had been ill that weekend. Her husband, Phil, answered the phone and he sounded a little strange, he was watching the news and said a plane had just crashed into a building in NYC, at that time we thought it might have been a small plane – while we were on the phone and he was watching the news he said he couldn’t believe it another plane had just hit another building. We were both in total disbelief, one plane is most certainly an accident, a second plane could only mean evil was among us. We hung up and as I tried to find information on the radio I began to cry. I called my husband who had not heard yet and we knew our lives would be forever affected. When I returned to the office I don’t recall if they knew yet or not, but we scrambled for a radio or TV. Then I headed home and we pulled the TV out of my quilting room and took it back to work so the news could be on.
I called my team together and told them if anyone felt they wanted to go home to their loved ones they should. I myself would be staying as I did not want to go home to an empty house. The majority of our team stayed and we tried to go about our work.
My thoughts went to my son, who was living in Utah, I was wishing my baby, who was 22 at the time, was with me (or I with him!). Momma’s need to know their chickens are safe!
I never take the sound of an airplane overhead for granted – I LOVE that sound. I recall when our airlines were given permission to fly again and we would meet outside the building to watch them fly over and embrace that sound. I must say I am not fond of all the hoops we jump through when we fly – but if they prevent this from happening again then it is ok. I just build a little extra time in for security and I remember why we stand in those security lines.
I am going to share another momma’s take on 9-11, she had very young sons in 2001 and here is what she did – so they will never forget.
This post is from my Facebook page – HollyDee Quilts
In 2010 I was contacted by someone to see if I could quilt 3 quilts for her. She lives over 50 miles away but she wanted to come show me the quilts and talk to me about them. We had a consultation and I gave her my ideas for quilting them and a quote to quilt all 3. She took them back home to piece the backings together and decide on some quilting options I have given her. The 3 quilts are almost identical, 1 is for her, and 1 each for her 2 sons, 11 and 14. She brought the quilts back to me and I put them in the schedule for January.
These quilts were quite large 102×102 and like I said very similar. I knew once I started quilting them I would be challenged to keep working on them because I enjoy variety! I quilted the boys quilts back to back but had to wait to get more batting for mom’s quilt. During this time she called to ask if I could quilt the boys names into their quilts. I explained that these quilts were completed, but I offered to create machine embroidered labels for her quilts.
She sent me an email with correct spelling and the information she wanted on the quilts.
- In Memory of 9/11/2001
- Made for XXXXXX
- 2002-2011
- Love, Mom
And then these quilts took on new meaning for me. Her sons were very very young on that day in our history and she wanted them to always remember and this was her way to honor that horrific event in our history. I was touched to be part of her gift to her sons.
Here are the pictures
I honor that day by trying to serve in the community more actively. At the end of 2001 we began hosting a sibling group from a Group Foster home in our area – I love those kids and I am blessed to have them in our lives.
I quilt many donation quilts for organizations such as Meals on Wheels, Special Olympics, Rainbow Girls, Special Needs Students at Friendswood High School etc.
Most importantly I try not to take life for granted. I enjoy my family and friends. I make the extra effort to be a positive force in my grandchildren’s lives.
Where were you?
How do you honor those that were taken from us before their time? And those that are still fighting for our freedoms!
I am honored and blessed to do what I do and be able to share it with the world!
Thank YOU for taking the time to share!
Denise
I was at my water exercise class. As we were leaving, someone from the next class told of the first crash. No real information. I got in the car and called my mom in Kingston, NY, which is 90 miles north of the city. She told me of the second crash. We wondered what was happening. I got home and turned on the tv just in time to see the first tower fall and to learn of the crash in Pennsylvania and the crash at the Pentagon. Feeling totally helpless, I got my flag and raised it in front of my house. A flag has flown daily at my house ever since.
It is amazing how seeing the American flag can fill me with pride to be a US citizen! I think we have located where our flag pole will be at our new homestead and we will also proudly fly the stars and stripes! Thank you for flying your flag!
I was assisting with surgery at Bay Area Surgical Center. Someone came into the room and told os about the first plane. We all thought it was just a small plane and that it had to be pilot error. It didn’t take long to find out the truth.
A prayer was said for all those lost that day and their families. A prayer also for the United States and all we lost that day too. I am very thankful for the fact that I live in such a wonderful nation.
Today will be a good day to work on another quilt of valor. Jeanne Whittle
That is a great way to honor the victims and heroes of 9-11 Jeanne!