At the time, we lived in one of the NYC boroughs (Staten Island), and I was at work near home. DD worked IN Tower #1 and DH was working right across the street. My SIL who lives & was working in Manhattan called me with the news about the incident, and my world just shattered. My boss ran to Radio Shack and purchased a tv so we could follow what was happening. Horrible reception because the antenna was down.
I eventually heard from DH - he got called from one job to go work on a special project at the Continental Airlines terminal at Newark Airport and he left the city just 15 minutes before it started. He was safe, thank God!
At least 2 hours later, my DD came walking into my office to let me know she was safe and sound. We had very spotty telephone/cell service and the lines were busy with people trying to reach their families/friends. Turns out my DD had worked very late the night before and was slow getting herself together in the morning and forgot her ID required to enter the Trade Center buildings, had to go home for the ID and missed her regular bus. As a result of that, she was still commuting to the city but was on Staten Island.
God was watching over us that day. My two loved ones were nowhere near the Towers.
Later that day, our regular group of friends gathered together to share what news we heard to that point. We watched and smelled the foul smoke blowing across the sky. There is truly no way to describe how it affected us. We just hugged and held onto each other.
We all knew people who lost someone. DD's friend lost her 24 year old newlywed DH; a friend lost his DD and the list goes on. So many people lost just sitting at their desks working answering emails, writing letters, taking telephone calls. It's mind boggling.
To this day, I thank the Lord for protecting my family.
A sorrowful Kat, now living in Arizona.