Remembering 9/11

9/11 will forever be ingrained in my memory. Back then I was in high school and my Daddy was in NY working as a Telecommunications Engineer for a thriving, mid-sized company. He worked on the 83rd floor of the World Trade Center.

On September 11, 2001 almost all of my Daddy's co-workers died as the towers crumbled. He is one of three survivors from his office. He survived because on that day there was local election day in NY and he went to vote before going to work that day. When he went to the voting site they couldn't find his name on the list, turns out he was at the wrong polling station. He had to walk a few blocks to eventually cast his vote. This simple decision to vote before he went to vote (and not after work like he usually did) saved his life.

When my Daddy arrived at the World Trade Center he walked in and immediately saw a sea of people running out in a frenzy. He followed suit and ran. He watched as the building crumbled while he was texting his co-workers stuck in the skies above. He was the senior manager of his department, so he knew them all well. Apart of him was buried on that day.

While all of this was going on in NY...I was sitting in my classroom in Jamaica. I remember a teacher, Ms. Williams, coming up to me and asking to talk to me privately. She told me that she knew my Daddy worked in the World Trade and if I was aware of the planes crashing into the building. I immediately started to cry...no...bawl...I dropped to the floor and rolled. I've NEVER cried that much in my life.My memories of my father flashed in front of me. I had to be taken to the nurse's office at school and put to lay down on a bed. For I was convinced my Daddy had died...because he was ALWAYS on time for work. All I kept on saying was " but he can't die, who is going to give me away at my weddings." I was so delirious! My godmother had to come and pick me up from school. Hear nah, she was so distraught herself she nearly crash driving me home!! Woman nearly drive off the bridge eh! Imagine that! Well, It was not until hours later that I found out from my Grandparents (living in Florida) that my Daddy was alive and that he couldn't get through to call us, because all the circuits were so busy.

Let mi tell yuh, that was by far the worst day of my life. That day made me realize that life is precious. People often laugh at how close I am to my parents. My parents are my life. That day made me cling to them even more. I saw my Mother break down in tears when she finally heard my father's voice. I cried because I thought I had lost the one man I will forever love unconditionally.

Eight years later, 9/11 has changed my life. After the incident my parents decided it was best my Mommy and I relocate to NY. I reluctantly moved to NY. My family dynamics have changed...my lifestyle has changed...things are definitely different. Hear what though....I still have my father and life...a whopping number of people can't say the same. I'm beyond grateful.

RIP all the General Telecom workers and thousands others that died that unfaithful day. My heart continues to weep...