Remembering 9/11

 

[image credit: jrmrt on pixabay.com]

2001-09-11

It was a Tuesday. My 2nd day, after having arrived in Warsaw Poland over the weekend. I had just started a new client engagement engagement with third largest bank in the country.

The first hint of trouble was the Polish staff wheeling a TV into the room.

The U.S. expats in the room with me were whispering of a rumor about a plane, NY, one of the Twin Towers. We all assumed it must have been a small commuter plane.

Every news site on the internet that we tried to access was overwhelmed.

As the true magnitude of the attack became clear - we were in shock.

When we left the office that day, we walked to a nearby T.G.I.F. restaurant - in grief, finding some solace in each other's company - and that small touchstone of familiarity- being so far from home - and loved ones.

My eyes constantly scanning the faces of the people entering and leaving the restaurant - monitoring for possible threats.

It would be months before I would be back in Seattle. When I did return - it was a cold rainy December day. I sat outside, on the sidewalk, of a Starbucks. 

Finally, the tears came.