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I was pregnant. I walked into work (33rd Floor, John Hancock Tower, Boston) from the commuter rail station and ran into my co-worker/friend, Lisa, who said that a small plane had crashed into the World Trade Center in NYC. She suggested I look online but cautioned that I might have a bit of difficulty getting onto the internet because everyone was trying to find out what happened. I quickly settled into my office and soon after, heard about the second plane. I walked over to Cynthia's office (VP, HR) and she was in a meeting. Lisa handed me the phone and it was the DC office saying that they felt uncomfortable and wished to close. We agreed that safety was first and that I'd confirm but that closing seemed like the right thing to do. At this point, one of the many rumors came out that the Sears Tower had been hit and at that point, Cynthia's meeting was over. We walked over to the CEO and at this point, he made the call that we should close our offices and evacuate the building, as we were located in the tallest building in Boston. As Cynthia and I were walking by the lunch room, I remember seeing dozens of people crowded around the television. Cynthia announced that the offices were closing. Someone asked if they had to evacuate and her response was that large buildings were being targeted and this was the largest building in Boston; it was a very good idea to leave.
Around this time, the little voice in my mind nagging at me spoke up and I remembered. I remembered that my co-worker, John was flying to LA that morning. He and I had let an employee go the day before so we spoke a lot on September 10. I remember wishing him well on his travels. I still remember my interview with John when he was hired - he was someone that added a great deal to the firm. He was a dear friend to many and his impact to the office was real.
John was flying out to our LA office on the first flight out on 9/11. He had made his travel arrangements through the internet to save money for the firm (internet travel was new at the time) and not through our on-site travel agent. I tried to reach my co-workers and we all worked separately and together to confirm his presence on the flight. I had a pit in my stomach because deep down I knew. I knew. But I was not ready to face it. I explained this situation to Cynthia and we evacuated the building. I waited until every person left the floor. At that point, it was important to me. I was eerily calm and I remember closing the gate. I called a candidate that was due into the office for an interview and she had no idea what was happening as she was in the library. I explained that bad things were happening in the world that morning and that she should get to a television as soon as possible and call me in the next day or two to reschedule her interview.
My husband picked me and a colleague up as he needed a ride home and we didn't feel comfortable taking the train. Kelley remembers driving on the Pike under the Prudential building and the odd feeling that generated. We walked two blocks from the Hancock and got into the car. As we were driving out of the city, the first tower fell. We heard it on the radio. Then the second tower fell. That entire day was spent on the phone with Cynthia, then security at the Hancock so that we could get John's personnel file. We needed his emergency contacts once we learned he was definitively on the plane and then Cynthia needed to call his family. Everything was on paper at the time so retrieving that information was not a simple task. I almost went back into the office but we managed to work with security to help us.
John Jenkins was on Flight 11 which took off from Boston to LA at 7:59 a.m. with 11 crew members, 76 passengers and 5 hijackers. It crashed into the North Tower at 8:46 a.m.
My sister in law, also pregnant, and close friends came over to our house in Needham and we all watched the television closely. I remember the weather was clear, warm. I was in a state of shock at what we were watching and I was in a state of disbelief that someone I knew was in the plane. I remember trying to imagine his last moments. In bed that night, I remember how quiet it was. No planes were flying and when small, private aircraft occasionally flew overhead it was out of place. I leaned over and said to Kelley, what kind of world are we bringing this baby into.....
The next day, I went into the office. It felt like a hundred years had passed. But I wanted to be with my work family. I wanted to show that I wasn't afraid. Everyone dealt with this pain in different ways and there was no right way. There is no right way. There was a bomb threat in a nearby hotel that day. Some employees went home. But we got through the day. And we got through the next day.
A few days later I received a phone call from someone who lived in Brooklyn, about 2 miles from Ground Zero. She had found a business card. John's business card. I started shaking. She sent it with the letter above. It looked completely normal - a slight discolor and gently frayed but really, it looked fine. To this day, I am amazed at what that business card went through on Flight 11 and how it had made it to Brooklyn.
There were other connections to 9/11. Ones I learned about after that day. It was a transformative day for this country and for its citizens. Many, many heroes were made that day. Heroes were made because of this day. Susan Retik-Ger became a hero for me personally. I think everyone alive that day has a story. They remember where they were and how they felt. It is a palpable feeling that is important to recognize and come back to from time to time. Everyone's story is important.
Today is a day to remember. Today is a day to honor. Today is a day of sadness but also of strength and connection. Today is a day to live, truly live in the moment.
Time to put on Like Gold by Vance Joy and shift gears.
Two recommendations today. Both amazing and both HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
First, my friend Jennifer Shuford has a catering business called, Tastefully Yours. Obviously many if not all businesses have had to pivot and be more than flexible during COVID times. It just is a different world. She has created a marketplace with a menu every week and it has become a staple of our family. The market is open Wed-Fri from 11-3 p.m. an Saturday from 10-1 p.m. at 2204 Ellis Street in Augusta. I love driving up and looking at all of the amazing foods she has to offer. This is a sample menu and honestly there are dishes we get every week because they are so yummy. It has been a life saver for our family, especially with me going back to work full-time. It is just good to know that a few meals are covered each week.
Here is a recipe for one of my favorite dishes of hers................Thanks for having Second, my friend, Marit, wrote her third book titled, The Insomniacs. It is a Young Adult book and it has a level of depth appropriate for all ages. Please take the time to read. I read it in a day and the only thing I am sad about is that it is over. I absolutely loved it. Marit is an incredible writer and I become invested in her characters. Kudos, Marit!!!
Miso-Glazed Salmon with Sesame Asparagus
Feed 4-6
1/2 c white miso
1/4 c dry sake or dry white wine
1/4 c mirin
1 T honey
1 T soy sayce
2 t finely grated fresh ginger
2 # Salmon, skin-on (cut into 4-6 fillets)
2# medium thick Asparagus, trimmed
2 t sesame oil
1 t asian chili oil
2 t toasted sesame seeds
In a 3 quart Pyrex casserole, whisk miso, sake, mirin, honey, soy, and ginger until combined. Pat the skin-side of the Salmon dry, and score in a criss-cross pattern. Turn the salmon in the mixture to coat, leaving flesh side down. Marinate for 30 minutes at room temp, or cover and refrigerate for up to 12 hours.
Position your oven rack 6 inches from broiler, and heat broiler on high. In a large boil toss the asparagus in the sesame oil. Also season with salt & pepper to taste.
Line a heavy sheet pan with foil, and brush with oil. Transfer salmon to one-side of the sheet pan, skin side-up, patting dry, and sprinkling with kosher salt. Arrange the dressed asparagus on the opposite side of the sheet pan.
Broil until Salmon is browned, and skin is crispy, and asparagus are bright green and crisp. 8-10 minutes, for medium rare salmon. Transfer salmon & asparagus to a platter. Garnish with Asian chili oil and toasted sesame seeds. Finish with a grind of fresh black pepper.
Nominated to ALA’s Best Fiction for Young Adults List
Marit Weisenberg | Ingrid can’t sleep.
She can’t remember, either.
Marit Weisenberg's The Insomniacs is “a deeply beautiful story of yearning, heartache, trauma, and love” (Jennifer Niven, #1 New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places) about two teens who discover the secrets of their neighborhood after everyone else turns out the lights.
Enjoy and have a thoughtful day, everyone. |
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