5 years ago...I remember
I remember waking up. I had decided to sleep in since my son, our fourth child, was born 12:30 am, Sept. 11, 2001. I got home around 2:30 am and couldn't sleep. The adrenaline from watching a baby be born was still in my vains. Finally I dozed off.
Up the next morning, I don't know what time. Time at that point wasn't important for me. I had the day off from work, I was going straight to the hospital to see my wife and new son. The rest of my kids were with their grandma and grandpa.
As I drive to the hospital, I casually flip the radio on to break the silence. What is this? Where's the music? Is this a joke?
I couldn't figure out what was going on, all I could think of was when they did a War of the Worlds radio presentation way back when...and everybody thought it was real. Certainly this could not be real. The things they were saying...unbelievable.
I got to the hospital and as I made my way back to the birthing center, I could tell something was wrong. Every waiting room I walked by had groups of people huddled around the television. Finally, I decided to stop and see what they were looking at. Unbelievable.
I stood and watched replays of a jet flying into a building. As the details came out through the broadcast, I didn't know what to think. No one was really talking, just watching. And then I remembered why I was even at the hospital...a new baby.
I finally arrived a the door to my wife's room and as I opened it, I wondered if she knew what was going on. As I came around the corner, I figured she didn't. There she was, sitting up in bed. The curtains were drawn and the sun was shining down on her and Caedmon, my new son. I tell you, it was angelic. I walked over to her and shut the outside world out, and focused on the little bundle of wrinkles and grunts. He had no idea the world he was born into.
He's starting to learn now at the age of 5.
I got up this morning and celebrated a son's 5th birthday. But in the back of my mind, I was replaying that day 5 years ago.
So how about you? Post your "I remember" and tell us what you were doing that morning.
posted by iridium @ 9:49 AM
6 comments
6 Comments:
Hey Nate. I was teaching at that time. I was pregnant with Ethan (almost done w/first trimester). My kids had P.E. or music or something, so I spent that whole time up in the libaray watching the news with some of the other teachers and high school students. I saw one of the towers collapse.
It was really hard to go back to the classroom and carry on "as normal" with my second graders. I didn't discuss it with them, they had no clue. The next day of school, however, they had a lot to talk about.
Later that day I found out that Caedmon had been born! I think I called mom to talk to her about the attacks. I wanted me, Eric, and Owen to drive there that evening right away, but we were scared. We didn't know what was going on, hearing about gas prices shooting through the roof, maybe traffic would be chaotic, etc. No one really knew what to expect, hearing that "we were at war." We were advised to just stay home and not make the drive.
There is something really special about Caedmon's birthday being on 9/11. It brightens the whole thing for me. I remember what happened, but then I think, "But the sunshine comes in that day, knowing it is Caedmon's birthday!"
Happy Birthday, little buddy!!!!
We love you lots!!!!
This is great! It seems like Caedmon is your grace!
Your story is as relevent as anyone elses.
In 20 years Caedmon's story will remind us if we are stretching to remember
Neat post
you know nothing could compare to your story, what an awesome little guy that you have!
They see me mowin...my front lawn...they think I'm just too...
COME ON NATE! You said you'd post about it....
/chant NEW POST NEW POST NEW POST
Oh Nate! One more thing...did you see that discovery channel is having a contest of who can make the best parody of one of their shows!!! I could see you and Luke doing a parody of Myth Busters...but maybe you two don't even watch that show...
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