It's been seven years today and I'll never ever forget 9/11. It will be forever be engraved into my heart. No, I wasn't flying that day. Actually I wasn't a flight attendant at the time. But my daughter, Casey was. And Casey was in the air during the time of the attacks.
I was getting ready for work while watching Good Morning America. I will never forget the very minute that Diane Sawyer and I believe Charlie, stop and say, something like "we are getting reports that an airplane has hit one of the Twin Towers". You know at that time, we or should I say, "I" thought like probably everyone else, that it was a small plane or something. But minutes later when the second plane hits and the plane was actually shown hitting the tower. The reporters start saying, "it looks as if America is under attack". Ya'll I will never forget the numbness I felt you talk about dropping to your knees and praying. I knew my Casey had left BWI (Baltimore Washington International) heading to Little Rock. She had called the night before, sick and wanting me to make her a Doctor's appointment for Tuesday morning. Alvin had driven to Little Rock to pick Casey up. At this point we had not talked to her that morning.
Long story short, Casey's plane came in and as Alvin and Casey are coming out of the airport, the port authorities were arriving to close the airport. You talk about a relief, when Alvin called and she he had our baby with him! Alvin brought Casey by my office when they got home and I will never forget just grabbing her and hugging her. "I said Casey, please tell me you'll never fly again" (I know sounds dumb). She looks at me and says "mom this is my career, whenever God is ready for me, I'll be ready". I looked at her with tears in my eyes and said "you are exactly right".
One of the most asked questions I get on the plane from passengers is....are you afraid of another 9/11. The answer is "not at all". And like Casey. Whenever God is ready for me, I too will be ready! Let's all take a moment today to remember those who lost loved ones and for our service men and women who put their lives on the line everyday so that we can live in this amazing country! God Bless the USA!
9 comments:
I can't believe it's been 7 years. I'm so glad that 9/11 didn't keep you from coming and flying with me. I can't even imagine what life would be like without having you at SWA with me. We have had some good times together all over the US and I look forward to making more memories in the air. Luv U, Casey
Wow! What an incredible story. It made me cry! You know, Derek and I had many conversations before and while he was gone to Iraq and he always said the same thing, "If it is my time to go, whether it be serving in Iraq or driving to the mall in Little Rock, it is just my time." That is so true, but so hard to remember sometimes when the ones we love could be in danger. I am so thankful Casey was safe! I love how you referred to her as your baby. It doesn't matter how old they are does it? They are STILL your baby! That's how I feel. I think that is so neat that you two get to work together!
Mrs. Becky,
I teared up reading how scared you were waiting for Casey. I was working at the Federal Reserve in Dallas and all the buildings around us closed because of their proximity to us. But the Fed wanted to send a message that our economy would not be affected by the attacks, so we stayed open. I will never forget spending the entire day in a tiny breakroom with all my coworkers, watching the footage of the planes hitting the towers over and over. And praying. So much praying.
Great post. I love how everyone has a different story... a different take ... different view of the moments during that tragedy. It's something I'll never forget and has made me LOVE this country all the more. I never let a time pass when I meet a serviceman/woman that I don't thank them for what they do for us. At least THAT has changed for me since 09.11.01.
Something I've had to remind myself of since having teenagers is that "I can't worry one more second on to my children's lives"... so I have to learn to trust. For me, that's a difficult one to let go on.
That was a great post! I love how everything is different for all of us but yet the same. I am thankful your "baby" was okay that day. What a blessing! What a great reminder that yes we should be ready when it is our time. :) Thanks for sharing. I just popped over from Leigh Ann's blog.
Casey is so right, when He's ready, I'm ready. Great story sis!! I won't ever forget that day. Kind of makes you feel numb all over again just thinking about it.
You be safe while you are flying this weekend!
I cannot even imagine how frightening that must have been to have your "baby" flying in the midst of 9/11. I am so glad that Casey was kept safe.
My husband left Charlotte this morning flying to Montana and I must admit I was a little frightened about it being on 9/11. The 2nd leg of his flight was delayed and he missed his connecting flight, so he is STILL sitting in the Denver airport until 9:30 pm when he will FINALLY get a flight out. He was upset that it happened, but I reminded him that maybe he wasn't supposed to be on THAT flight!
This is a great post! When I read it I got chills! This will be remebered for generations! Nancy
I remember that I was teaching at Park Hill in North Little Rock and like 5 of my students had been checked out within a span of 30 minutes pretty early in the morning. Then, the secretary came on the intercom and said, "Mrs. Keedy, your husband called and said to tell you that his sister is okay." At that time, I had NO idea what was going on and I just said "Okay, was she in a wreck or something?" She said that I needed to get an aide to cover my class and go to the lounge to watch TV for a minute. I still went thinking that is was all so strange, but I never dreamt it was something like what had happened. Billy's sister flies for Delta and she is based out of New York. Like Casey, she never worried about it. She feels like she is more safe now than ever before, but it is certainly a day that will never be forgotten by our family either.
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