Where was I?

I will never forget.

I was in my car listening to 96 Rock in the parking lot when somebody called in to say that a plane had crashed into one of the WTC towers. I had to turn it off because I was going to be late for class. At that point it was speculated that was just a small plane so when I arrived in my class I told my classmates about it. No one else knew about it. We sat in the classroom and chatted about it but then our professor had come in so we started class. It was a light day and we were out after about 30 minutes.

That was my only class that day so I called Daddy to tell him I was on my way home and ask if he had heard any more about the plane crash. He told me a second plane had crashed into the other tower and that one had crashed into the Pentagon. He said it was a planned attack. An attack? On America? Who would do such a thing?

I walked in the door and Daddy was glued to the television (just like the rest of the world). I remember looking at him first, then the tv. As I turned my head and my eyes focused on the screen, I watched in horror as the south tower fell. I made it to the couch just before my knees gave out.

We sat in stunned silence until we heard about a fourth plane that had crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. It was speculated that one was headed to Washington DC.

The rest of the day was pretty much a blur after the second tower fell. We grieved for all of the lives lost, for all of the families affected, and for our country.

A few days after the attacks I turned off CNN and turned on Comedy Central because I needed a laugh. I tuned in to see the first post-attack episode of The Daily Show with John Stewart. I listened to his opening monologue; there was one thing he said that I will never forget and it was a personal anecdote. He said it with a shaky voice and tears in his eyes: “The view from my apartment was the World Trade Center and now it’s gone…but do you know what the view is now? It’s the Statue of Liberty. The view from the south of Manhattan is now the Statue of Liberty. You can’t beat that.”

I am thankful for every soldier that fights for our nation’s freedom. I am thankful for all of the police officers and firefighters who keep our families safe. I pray for every person that died on that horrible day and I pray for their families.

I will never forget. I promise.

The Working Mom Runneth...

I have made a decision: I am going to run a half marathon. On my birthday. Happy birthday to me.

This decision was not made lightly. It took a giant plate of nachos and three margaritas to decide that this was the best idea I have ever had in my entire life! I’ll tell you a secret: that’s how I get most of my best ideas. Well, now that I think about it, that’s also how I get some of my worst ideas…but I digress….

I decided to start running a few weeks ago and I have been “training” ever since. I use the term training loosely because the last time I worked out I didn’t have any children. Needless to say, I am out of shape. In the past 3 weeks I have been able to fully run 1.25 miles without passing out or dying so I feel that is a very big accomplishment. Also, I found out something really important during this time: running is waaaaaay harder than walking.

It is very important to me that I stay motivated so I charge YOU with holding me accountable for my progress. Thank you, dear friend, for all of your help and encouraging words (such as: “Are you out of your freaking mind?!?!”, “Hopefully you won’t die.”, etc…).

I’ll check in with you after some of my runs and tell you about my highs and lows as well as ask for some advice when I feel that I can’t go on.

So until next time….

Adios ya’ll!