Kathleen, I can't imagine being so close to such a horrible thing. I watched it on TV, of course, not living there. The broadcast still sits with me like a sour pill stuck in your throat. I love what you did for the office workers. That was kind and caring. Thanks for that bit of goodness.
Such a tragic day. Thank you for sharing your memories. I was in Manhattan that day as well - our publicity firm's office was at the base of the 59th Street Bridge and I saw people literally climbing on cars and trucks as they tried to get out of the City.
I took my team and we walked to my apartment - when we got to 5th avenue, we looked down and could see the smoke. I couldn't get in touch with my wife, and was thankful to find her, and our 11 month old baby safe at home. We went up to our roof and saw WT7 collapse. It was a horrible day.
This was a gripping entry. Thanks so much for sharing your memories of this day. I am so glad that you and your family lived to tell about it. Can't believe it has been 23 years. I was in 7th grade when it happened.
Worked in the same building, same floor as you. But I was traveling that day. Flying out to Seattle for an Amazon appointment. Landed in St Louis and stayed in a casino hotel for three nights. Finally found a rental car and drove home to NJ. Strong sense of displacement not being with my family for those days. But I was one of the lucky ones who flew EWR-LAS vs EWR-SFO that morning.
Goodness, you really saw it all, didn't you. I'm so sorry you did. Heavy, heavy mental wounds. Like most people, I was lucky -- I was oblivious of it all until I arrived at work. There was no one in the office -- they were all down in the cafeteria, watching the horror on the television. It was 2001 -- pre-smartphone, nascent-internet days. Can't even imagine how much more frantic the news would be today with our highly connected media...
Thank you for sharing. I was in 5th grade in 2001 in Philadelphia, but I later worked in those same Penguin offices from 2017-2019 (before they moved us uptown into the RH offices), so I can picture this well.
Sometimes I think my shock has yet to wear off from that day 💔 thank you for your story. I believe it’s important that we share just how impactful, yet horrifying, it was.
Wow, what a harrowing story. I was only about 2 years old when 9/11 happened, so I don't remember anything, but I know my father was flying from New York to Boston at that time. What you did for the young women in your building is so heroic. And the ending of this really speaks to the resilience of the city. Thank you for sharing, this was very moving.
Kathleen, I can't imagine being so close to such a horrible thing. I watched it on TV, of course, not living there. The broadcast still sits with me like a sour pill stuck in your throat. I love what you did for the office workers. That was kind and caring. Thanks for that bit of goodness.
<3 what a beautiful ode to new york and the lives lost. thank you for sharing xxxxxxxxx
Thank you! xo
Thank you for sharing this. We must remember ❤️
So much to remember, too much to carry, but never enough to learn and feel compassion about!
This day hit me hard too. ❤️
Such a tragic day. Thank you for sharing your memories. I was in Manhattan that day as well - our publicity firm's office was at the base of the 59th Street Bridge and I saw people literally climbing on cars and trucks as they tried to get out of the City.
I took my team and we walked to my apartment - when we got to 5th avenue, we looked down and could see the smoke. I couldn't get in touch with my wife, and was thankful to find her, and our 11 month old baby safe at home. We went up to our roof and saw WT7 collapse. It was a horrible day.
This was a gripping entry. Thanks so much for sharing your memories of this day. I am so glad that you and your family lived to tell about it. Can't believe it has been 23 years. I was in 7th grade when it happened.
So powerfully said. Thank you for bringing us there with you.
Beautifully said, and heat-breaking all over again
Worked in the same building, same floor as you. But I was traveling that day. Flying out to Seattle for an Amazon appointment. Landed in St Louis and stayed in a casino hotel for three nights. Finally found a rental car and drove home to NJ. Strong sense of displacement not being with my family for those days. But I was one of the lucky ones who flew EWR-LAS vs EWR-SFO that morning.
Hi John! I hope you are well! We sat in MANY meetings together back then. I had no idea you went through all of that.
Thanks Kathleen. Loving your newsletter!
Goodness, you really saw it all, didn't you. I'm so sorry you did. Heavy, heavy mental wounds. Like most people, I was lucky -- I was oblivious of it all until I arrived at work. There was no one in the office -- they were all down in the cafeteria, watching the horror on the television. It was 2001 -- pre-smartphone, nascent-internet days. Can't even imagine how much more frantic the news would be today with our highly connected media...
Thank you for sharing. I was in 5th grade in 2001 in Philadelphia, but I later worked in those same Penguin offices from 2017-2019 (before they moved us uptown into the RH offices), so I can picture this well.
This was a gut-wrenching read. You are a transportive writer in every essay, but especially this one.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
Sometimes I think my shock has yet to wear off from that day 💔 thank you for your story. I believe it’s important that we share just how impactful, yet horrifying, it was.
Wow, what a harrowing story. I was only about 2 years old when 9/11 happened, so I don't remember anything, but I know my father was flying from New York to Boston at that time. What you did for the young women in your building is so heroic. And the ending of this really speaks to the resilience of the city. Thank you for sharing, this was very moving.