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September 11, 2001 started out like any other day. I was going to work and running late. Traveling from New Jersey to the Upper East Side of Manhattan, I had a number of different commuting options. That day it was the bus to the PATH Train to the Subway. The 1993 terrorist attack on the WTC was never far from my mind as the PATH train uses its basement as its NY station stop. Anyone could board those trains with anything.
That day I was rushing as usual and couldn't let those thoughts slow me down. It was the first day of Kindergarten in the school where I worked, and I didn't want to be late. My train pulled into the WTC at about 8:42 that morning. As the doors opened, I joined with the throngs of other commuters heading to the huge escalators that bring you up to the ground level. Walking up, I always felt a bit of an excitement at that spot where you are greeted by a huge digital sign, "Welcome to New York. Have a Nice Day!" I felt a part of the hustle and bustle going on in the larger world, mixed in with every different kind of person going to fulfill their responsibilities for the day.
I breezed pass the shops and out the front doors of the building. Watch check: 8:45. Fifteen minutes to get uptown. Ran one block to the subway station. BOOM! I heard a loud noise behind me. Probably a truck backfiring. I didn't take the time to turn around. On the subway platform I checked my watch again, and then my cell phone -- more accurate -- 8:48. The train came and whisked me uptown. I got off at my stop and clamored into the school building at just about 9:00 am. I went straight to the classroom and started helping out. A few minutes later, parents started showing up to get their children. An attack at the World Trade Center? But I was just there. Nothing unusual was going on. Everything was fine.
Watching the towers collapse live on television, I let out an audible cry. The people, all those people...
I walked into the office where the staff had put the news on. I just couldn't understand the pictures I was seeing on TV. When did this happen? I tried to go back to the classroom, but I was so visibly shaken, my co-workers sent me back out. They still had no understanding of what had happened. I returned to the office. Watching the towers collapse live on television, I let out an audible cry. The people, all those people...
I couldn't get home that night, so I stayed at a friend's apartment in the city. The next morning when I prayed Shacharit, the morning service, I said Modeh Ani with an intensity that I had never had before. I was truly thankful to be alive.
As time passed and amazing stories of rescue came to surface, I would think about my own 9/11. I didn't have to climb down 65 flights of stairs. I wasn't narrowly missed by falling debris. Thank God I had no injury. I had no flashy story to tell. Thank God. I believe the Almighty protected me by performing the greatest miracle of all, getting me to work on time. He simply allowed me to miss the whole thing -- by about one minute.
Whenever the anniversary of the attacks comes around, I'm reminded to appreciate the un-miracles. The miracles of life itself, of nature, of science and technology. To appreciate when life continues uninterrupted. Since September 11 has a close proximity to Rosh Hashana, it is especially timely to go into the new year reminded that good and bad, only God runs this world. No matter what time it says on the clock, according to His plan, you are always right on time.
(11) Bobby5000, February 25, 2016 2:57 AM
appreciation
I learned to appreciate people with different views. I had a client, a difficult woman. She was skeptical about seemingly everything, needed confirmation of this, a document, etc.
On 9-11 she worked at a company which instructed its employees not to leave. Ever skeptical, she was one of the few people who escaped, but sadly it was not enough as she passed away in the hospital. I remember though to learn from her and appreciate others.
(10) Shashi Ishai, November 13, 2012 4:02 PM
When 9/11 happened, victory guns were being fired in Paterson, NJ
Paterson, NJ has a substantial Palestinian population. So, as tvs depicted the horrible scene of destruction, the Arabs of Paterson were handing out sweets, women smiling and dancing in the streets, guns being fired from the rooftops. When police arrived, they were told it was a misunderstanding; it was a celebration of a newborn child. Other people, ordinary citizens, brought bats and clubs to Paterson, to bash their heads in. Better yet, INS should have come in and sent everyone back. Ironically, a Pakistani Moslem lost his life in 9/11. His family couldn't mourn his death because neighbors vented rage and committed violence on their premises.
(9) ladydi, August 28, 2012 6:22 PM
11 years later and the images of people jumping from the towers still haunt me.
(8) Dr.C.S.Mishra, September 14, 2006 2:13 PM
Cowardy act against humanity
I still vividly remember those scenes
in TV of WTC turning into columns of smoke in minutes after being hit by the terrorist-captured planes.I could not also forget the site of locals running away from the site in panic.
Thus, one can only held god's timely assistance for miraculous escape of Amy from the burning towers.
i think,what we need now is to unite & continue and support war against terror,than to celebrate anniversary of the horrible event:as the latter will lead us to nowhere.
(7) Susan, September 11, 2006 1:33 PM
Thank you ... for "sweating the small stuff"
It's often easy, in the hustle and bustle of day-to-day living, for us to forget what's really important in life. Thank G-d for good people like you, Amy, to remind us. Surely G-d's blessings are on you and your family. Todah rabah, for your account of your personal 9-11 experience.
(6) Usaia, September 10, 2006 7:02 PM
miracle
Yes miracles do happen and this is one experience.A life is spared
(5) Deena, September 10, 2006 4:21 PM
Unbelievable
Your story is absolutely amazing. I'm sure that it had and still has a huge impact on your life.
Maybe this is insensitive but when I hear these stories, I always think, "But there's someone who was late and so was there when it happened."
To aaronfox (posted 9/9/2006 2:22:00 PM), judging people harshly and lacking understanding towards them is not going to get them to "just" do what you want or think they should do. Maybe 1st try to understand where they're coming from (if that's possible).
(4) donnaherman, September 10, 2006 9:52 AM
excellent articles
all the articles are heart arming & superb
(3) aaronfox, September 9, 2006 2:22 PM
question to author
did you get a message from g-d to come home to israel on that day? just wondering.
aaron
(2) AlizaBulow, September 8, 2006 1:17 AM
Amy, thank you for reminding us how important one minute can be and how thankful we should be for each minute that G-d orchestrates. I am also thankful that you made it to work on time, but as a mother of teens, I can tell you that arriving on time is also a miracle, it's just one we take more for granted. Thank you for reminding us to be thankful for miracles that we often take for granted.
(1) HowardA., September 7, 2006 6:59 AM
Great article, Amy. One must enjoy and take advantage of every moment for one never knows when their clock will stop.
Shalom.