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Cannot Believe It's Been 15 Years - I will ALWAYS Remember!

By
Real Estate Agent with Long Realty SA657797000

I know, everyone has a story, and memories of '9/11', and I'm no exception to that rule.  For me, this will always be an emotional and moving time, that I will ALWAYS remember.

 

I had just moved 3,000 miles away from family that I was very close to, to help my Mom, who was in her late 80's, and to eventually sell her house and move her back with us to California.  I had just gotten two part-time jobs, both in the small town where she lived, and was at one job.  We were all in the Break Room, and mesmerized by the TV News Alerts, and were watching as the first tower went down.  It was like you saw it, but you didn't believe it . . .

 

My first thought was to call Roger at work, and to call our family in California, but I could not.  I was working, and could not make personal calls.  When I could, I could not get through, as the phone lines were over-loaded.  When I could get through, it was hard to even talk about what was happening, as events were being up-dated, and more was changing quickly . . .

 

At my job, which was in a career field that worked with people grieving over the loss of loved ones, and those that had just died, we just didn't know what that impact might be like in CT, since this happened in NYC.  I can remember our owner, my boss, saying to us, 'we have to be prepared to leave immediately if called, and to go to NYC, to identify bodies'.  I learned at that moment in time, that 'bodies' may not be complete 'bodies', but 'body parts'.  It didn't make any difference, because they were all treated with respect, as that was what we did.  It was an honor to go.

 

So, I am no longer living on the East Coast, and my Mom is no longer with us.  I personally did not know 'anyone' that died that day, though felt the emotion, the sadness, and the grief of 'everyone' that suffered, and those that died.  Be it people in planes, buildings, be they first-responders, be they their canine responders - they all touched my heart.  It all brought me to tears, and still does today.

 

No, I have not seen the Memorial in NYC.  I don't know if I can, which doesn't mean that I shouldn't.  I have helped people work through grief, and need to find a way to work throught that grief myself.

 

"Long May it Wave, Over the Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave . . ."

 

 

 

Posted by

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Allie Angeloni, REALTOR

Long Realty - A Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate

8540 N. Oracle Road

Tucson, AZ   85704

Team Angeloni

allieangeloni@longrealty.com

(520) 989-1583

(520) 989-1584

 

 

 

Comments (15)

Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

I remember that day well. All of my family was out of town and I could not reach any of them by phone, I felt so alone!

Sep 10, 2016 11:17 AM
Allie Angeloni

Yes, where I lived in New England our phones were overloaded, and I could not call to family on the West Coast, in California - very scary day.  Thank you for your comment Sybil Campbell, I hear you . . . 

Sep 10, 2016 11:23 AM
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Oh my, Allie Angeloni My heart aches just reading your post.  Thank you for sharing.  My hope is that you are able to allow yourself to grieve and let the healing take place.  Thank you for commenting on my story in Q&A

Sep 10, 2016 12:20 PM
Allie Angeloni

It's just interesting when I think back over the years to 9/11, and recall it, it's like it happened yesterday, and so are my emotions.  Maybe it will always be something that I will cry and grieve over, I do not know.  Sometimes we can help 'others', but not 'ourselves'.  Interesting concept Mary Yonkers.  Love your comments as always, and if I see yours, I always reply back!  Thank you, my dear . . . 

Sep 10, 2016 12:26 PM
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

Allie Angeloni it is a day that no one should ever forget.

Sep 10, 2016 02:28 PM
Allie Angeloni

I agree, as it is now part of our History, Lovely Lisa Von Domek . . . 

Sep 10, 2016 03:32 PM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

We were pumping gas at a Flying J north of Atlanta Ga. It was unbelievable!

Sep 12, 2016 12:40 PM
Allie Angeloni

Thank you for sharing Evelyn Johnston - I know I remember where I was when I heard President Kennedy was assasinated, too . . .  those events just are in our memory forever.

Sep 12, 2016 03:55 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is a date that I will never forget.

Have an outstanding week.

Sep 14, 2016 10:10 PM
Allie Angeloni

Yes, me, too Roy Kelley.  Thank you for your comment! 

Sep 15, 2016 12:29 AM
Cara Marcelle Mancuso
Golden Girls with SW Desert Homes - Tucson, AZ
Call a Marana neighbor, I'm THERE!

I remember waking up that day to the sound of my radio clock.  The dj's were crying on air and it made me run to the TV.  A horrible, horrible day.  I worked in a church at the time and we held special services all that week.  I remember looking at people all driving in their cars to wherever they had to go for many days following and everyone was unhappy, frowning, depressed.  I don't think I saw a soul that wasn't affected.  A terrible time.  We did go see the Memorial in NYC  - a must for anyone's bucket list.  A fitting tribute.  I think we will all, always remember -- as we should.

Sep 15, 2016 06:45 PM
Allie Angeloni

Thank you for your comments and thoughts of 9/11 Cara Marcelle Mancuso.  That was great that your church had many special services, because it was a time when people wanted and needed to come together, and prayer was a uniting force.  I totally agree that we will always - and should - remember 9/11. 

Sep 16, 2016 05:30 AM
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

Hi Allie,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this.  We are about 15 miles from NYC and it was scary living so close and seeing the smoke for weeks afterwards.

Sep 16, 2016 06:20 AM
Allie Angeloni

Wow!  I can imagine seeing and smelling that smoke for so long . . .  you were so close!!  Hopefully there are no health concerns related to this Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl.  Thank you for your comments!! 

Sep 16, 2016 11:04 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

It feels like it's only been about six years and I still haven't been the same since that day. Blessings!

Sep 20, 2016 04:58 PM
Allie Angeloni
Long Realty - Oro Valley, AZ

I hear you Laura Cerrano . . .  those events can easily change us . . .  I remember how kind and caring people were immediately after 9/11, and it's easy to become complacent after time goes by, and take each other for granted, again . . .

Sep 21, 2016 09:44 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Allie Angeloni - I was moved by your personal story about 9/11. There was nothing to prepare any of us - we were just all shocked and felt hopeless beyond comprehension. Those First Responders were true heroes. Pray, we never go through anything like that again. 

Oct 06, 2016 03:55 AM
Allie Angeloni
Long Realty - Oro Valley, AZ

Yes, I hear you and totally agree Patricia Feager - it was a moving experience for me, and for many others.  There were true heroes that day, for sure.  As they say, 'the worst' can truly bring out 'the best' in people!

Oct 06, 2016 04:37 AM
Marco Giancola
Beachfront Realty - Miami Beach, FL
Realtor (305)608-1922, Miami Beach Florida

Hey Allie-what a horrifying and tragic day it was and will never be forgotten.

I so remember getting a call that morning to turn on the TV and their I stood like millions of others in shock and disbelief.

Oct 21, 2016 10:37 PM
Allie Angeloni

I know, and I hear you, Marco Giancola . . .  I appreciate your comments . . .  I 'felt like one' with people who I didn't even know that day . . .

Oct 22, 2016 12:19 AM
Noel Mayer
Upper Montclair Weichert Realtors - Montclair, NJ
YOU WILL BE RIGHT AT HOME WITH NOEL !

Allie,

It will always be a day of remembrance. 

Thank you for sharing

Feb 10, 2017 10:35 AM
Allie Angeloni

Yes, I agree Noel Mayer - it should not be forgotten, as it is another event that is part of our history.  Thank you for your comment!

Feb 13, 2017 06:41 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Yes most of us can recall when we first heard when this happened, I have bee commemorating this event in various ways.... but as long as I have my wits about me I will never forget, Endre

May 06, 2017 10:43 PM
Allie Angeloni

Same here, Endre Barath, Jr.  No one can take away the reality of that date and the event for me, even though one day, 'someone' might try and say it never happened.  Like some have tried to do with the Holocaust - unbelievable . . .  I remember (and a 'lasting impression' it left with me) working with a family whose loved one had died, and was a Concentration Camp survivor.  So much suffering, and some lived though it.  I remember seeing the numbers that were tatooed.  It brings tears to my eyes to even write about this . . .

May 07, 2017 10:31 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Allie that is truly painful and I am so sorry, I have visited Mauthausen in Austria and that was around 1965.... I could still smell the Crematorium and needless to say it was shut down twenty years prior to it, Endre

May 07, 2017 10:50 AM
Allie Angeloni

Wow . . .  just 'wow'!!  The smell must have been very deep in the ground, and a true 'reminder'.  No words Endre Barath, Jr.


Man's inhumanity to man, and to animals, is pretty shocking.  Can't see how people could live with themselves, and maybe some could not, though some could . . .

May 07, 2017 10:55 AM
Allie Angeloni

Wasn't Mauthausen called "The Stairway to Death", and the "Bone Mill"?  So heartbreaking . . .  and you got to visit it Endre Barath, Jr. . . .

May 07, 2017 12:00 PM