Ten Years Later
On September 10, 2001, I began orientation for what would be, and still is, the only hospital I've ever worked as a registered nurse.
The following day, orientation was cut short. I think you know why.
I remember how gorgeous that morning was. I remember thinking, "Man, it's lovely out and I gotta be indoors all day. No fair." Two hours later, I was trying desperately to call home, to see if my parents were okay. All I was thinking was, "There are airplanes crashing into Manhattan. Mom works in Midtown, Dad downtown."
Mom and Dad came home safe and sound, although Dad's shoes were coated in dust.
Since then, Dad registered with the World Trade Center Health Registry, since he was exposed to the fallen debris from the towers. He's in good health, I'm happy to say.
Ten years later, I took Dad to a Mets game. There was a big pregame ceremony with members of all the affected agencies--NYPD, FDNY, Port Authority, Office of Emergency Management, many others--bagpipes, Color Guard, and ex-Mets: Mike Piazza (who hit the winning home run versus the Braves on 9/17/01, the first home baseball game since the attacks), John Franco, Todd Zeille, and Rusty Staub ("Le Grande Orange", he started a charity in the '80's for families of fallen firefighters.) There was a gigantic flag that covered the entire outfield. Marc Anthony sang the National Anthem, like he did 10 years ago. CitiField gave out little battery-powered candles, and even with the park at half-capacity, it was a lovely sight. Pia from American Idol sang God Bless America in the 7th inning.
It was a good night. It was a fun, close game. Although the Mets and Cubs are both well out of playoff contention, there was lots of energy in the less-than-sellout crowd (I've never seen the wave go on for ten rounds non-stop).
And then the Cubs scored six runs in the eleventh inning and it was time to go home. Oh Mets.
The following day, orientation was cut short. I think you know why.
I remember how gorgeous that morning was. I remember thinking, "Man, it's lovely out and I gotta be indoors all day. No fair." Two hours later, I was trying desperately to call home, to see if my parents were okay. All I was thinking was, "There are airplanes crashing into Manhattan. Mom works in Midtown, Dad downtown."
Mom and Dad came home safe and sound, although Dad's shoes were coated in dust.
Since then, Dad registered with the World Trade Center Health Registry, since he was exposed to the fallen debris from the towers. He's in good health, I'm happy to say.
Ten years later, I took Dad to a Mets game. There was a big pregame ceremony with members of all the affected agencies--NYPD, FDNY, Port Authority, Office of Emergency Management, many others--bagpipes, Color Guard, and ex-Mets: Mike Piazza (who hit the winning home run versus the Braves on 9/17/01, the first home baseball game since the attacks), John Franco, Todd Zeille, and Rusty Staub ("Le Grande Orange", he started a charity in the '80's for families of fallen firefighters.) There was a gigantic flag that covered the entire outfield. Marc Anthony sang the National Anthem, like he did 10 years ago. CitiField gave out little battery-powered candles, and even with the park at half-capacity, it was a lovely sight. Pia from American Idol sang God Bless America in the 7th inning.
It was a good night. It was a fun, close game. Although the Mets and Cubs are both well out of playoff contention, there was lots of energy in the less-than-sellout crowd (I've never seen the wave go on for ten rounds non-stop).
And then the Cubs scored six runs in the eleventh inning and it was time to go home. Oh Mets.