9/11: memory and miracle

By B.L. Ochman

I'm a 9/11 survivor, but I lost my memory of much of that awful day. The scenes I can remember still play in my mind, and intrude on my dreams.

I've never regained the hours between the time my dog, Sam, and I ran through smoke and debris as the first tower fell, until the time when we got on a ferry that took us to a hospital in New Jersey.

But lately, I've been focusing on the miracle.

The most vivid memory I have of 9/11 is watching the burning airplanes creating infernos inside the towers, forcing people to jump. I remember, and still can hear the sounds of the jumpers, like it was this morning.

The miracle took longer for me to realize - and that's the fact that both planes stopped inside the towers.

Because if they had gone forward and fallen onto the streets below, or if the buildings had fallen over instead of imploding, the casualties and the carnage would have been even worse. Much, much worse.

My beautiful Yellow Lab took his place in heaven four years ago. My sense that I am safe in the world has never returned. I still have "the world trade center cough" and the asthma. I still miss my friends and neighbors who died, and, sometimes, I still cry for them and their families.

But now I also think about the fact that something, who knows what, stopped those planes from killing hundreds or maybe even thousands more people. And today, that seems like something to be thankful for.

- On 9/11, for the boys
- 9/11 - The Slip

I've thought about this too, BL, but you've said it more eloquently than I ever could, and of course you have the perspective of one who was there. I returned to my home of NYC for a visit a couple of months after 9/11 and profoundly felt how the city had changed.

WOW! How true, but most of all you were saved and I have you in my life.

BL - Deleted 4 attempts to comment. Simply put .. thank you for telling your story. Sending hugs to you; I am grateful that the Fates crossed our paths. You are a remarkable, caring woman.

Dori - thank you for that, my sister. love you!

Donna & Toby - thank you for these kind words. it's hard to put this stuff out here sometimes, but i think it's important to remember

This tragedy is never more vivid that told from the memories of those who were there. Strangely, as I watched the carnage, I felt as if I were there. I was in shock over the terrible fear and pain the NY people were experiencing. I feel it to this day.

And yet, what I feel pales in comparison to what you went through and what you felt - first hand. We are blessed to still have you with us. May all those who lost their lives rest in peace and know they are remembered.

Thank you for this post, BL. You are a treasure to so many.

I love you. Thank you for telling me all this. I met you after, and I only knew you as a brilliant marketing head. We have fun. But the part of you that lived through 9/11 is very important to me, because I grew up in NYC, and when you and I had drinks together was the first time I came back since 9/11.

I had to force myself to visit my home town after 9/11.

I love you too Francine! You are one of the smartest, kindest, pluckiest women I have ever had the pleasure to know. I didn't know you hadn't been back home since 9/11 when we had dinner. It's not something I, or you, bring up all the time. But on the day, I try to share my thoughts because I believe I speak for a lot of people when I do.

Yvonne - It's like Pres Obama says, on 9/11, we're all New Yorkers. Thank you for these kind words. I am blessed to still be here, where I am so happy we've met and become buds. Part of why I write these posts every year is so people will remember those who didn't make it. The other part is so people will remember to love and be kind to one another. Not much else really matters.

This is definitely something to be thankful for. I can't imagine the even bigger catastrophe that would have happened if the planes did fall over, or if the buildings collapsed.
You know what my mom used to tell me every time one of our dogs passed away? She would tell us that our precious pets died to save one of us from meeting the same fate. It's as if they sacrificed themselves to make sure that someone they love would remain safe.
We are all blessed to still be in this world, and for that we really should be thankful :)

So true. How much worse it all could have been. For that we must be grateful.

A beautiful reflection BL
Thank you for your thoughts and sharing of a first hand account of 9-11

In total 2,993 people, including the hijackers, died in the attacks.The overwhelming majority of casualties were civilians, including nationals of over 90 countries. In addition, the death of at least one person from lung disease was ruled by a medical examiner to be a result of exposure to dust from the World Trade Center's collapse.

I have a friend who survived September 11th....and has lung problems. Given where she was at when it all occurred....I I would say there were some miracles that day. It doesn't often occur to me that it could have been much worse...but I am sure it does to her.

Hugs to you about your dog....pets are always missed.