September 11 and One of Motherhood's Firsts
When a Child's Milestone Brings Joy on One of America's Darkest Days
September 11, 2001 and one of my daughter's first milestones
I remember that day vividly. I had just started a new job and spent the day amongst strangers that I didn't know very well, trying like the rest of America to comprehend what had just happened to more than 3,000 Americans going about their daily life until fate and terrorists crossed their paths. It was such a traumatic day and I was a clock watcher the rest of the day, desperately wanting the day to end so that I could go home to my family, give them a hug, and try to make sense of the intense grief I felt over the loss of 3,000 people I didn't even know.
That night, our daughter who was five months old at the time, chose September 11, 2001 to show off the new milestone that she had reached. It was that evening that she sat on her own unassisted for the first time. With Fox News blaring in the background, showing footage of one of the worst days in America, our beautiful daughter gave us a reason to smile on a day that was so grave and dark. Her smiling face as she sat alone for the first time is what I try to focus on when I think of September 11. On each anniversary, when the media rehashes that ugly day, I take a moment to reflect on the lost souls, and then conjure up the picture in my mind of my precious child's delight. Where was I on September 11, 2001? I was having my hope restored by a child.
Published by Carly Hart
One of AC's Top 1000 Content Producers, Carly Hart's interests include news, politics, parenting, frugal living and consumer related issues. A Featured Contributor in the Shopping and Fashion category, she... View profile
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13 Comments
Post a CommentMy daughter was pregnant with her first on 911, and almost went into labor. Thank goodness she held off having that baby until 9-17, the same birthday as my godson! This is a very moving story. I'm sure everyone went through personal stuff during that time, and those things are now more than poignant memories. I always say "My grandson was born one week after 911."
Very nicely done.
Saw your post on the low pv forum thread. A baby's smile can brighten the bleakest of days.
On Sept 11, 2001 I was in the World Trade Center.
Beautiful! A ray of hope on a black day. Just tweeted...
Very touching story, Carly. I enjoyed reading it. It's great that you have that memory of your daughters milestone to ease the painful memories of that awful day.
This is a wonderful story full of hope for the future! You're lucky you have a happy image to hold when remembering that day. :)
wow.. so touching I got shivers!
Wow! Try as I might I don't have much sunshine on September 11. It's a beautiful thing to have a baby's milestones as a better reminder. My friend's daughter turned one on September 11, 2001. She had nightmares trying to get her daughter's picture taken that day. Your memory is great.
It's a wonderful story a second time too!