Dealing With The Aftermath

greeklawgirl · #1 09-19-2001, 06:08 PM

Sisters,
Are any of you having trouble dealing with this tragedy? Although my family is safe, everytime I think about what happened, its all I can do not to break down and cry. The enormity of this cruelty has shaken me to my core. In fact, when I saw the second tower come down on live TV, I had a panic attack. Luckily, I did not know at the time that my cousin had been on the 20th floor and evacuated in time--I probably would have had a stroke.

I wish I could understand why this happened, but it is all so senseless. All those innocent people...who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Praying hasn't given me any peace yet. I want to hide under my bed and not come out for a few days.

Is anyone else feeling this way, or I am in need of help?

Maria

Lisa Fishman · #2 09-19-2001, 06:48 PM

Maria, I feel the same way about the current situation. I don't have family or friends in any of the attacks. However, it is emotionally draining seeing the events on tv repeatedly. I had to leave my house last Sun. just so I would not turn the tv on.
This last Tue. was Rosh Hashana (as you know). I spent the day at Temple. I have never felt that way about prayer before. It really made me think hard about the situation at hand. After services I felt some comfort. It still is very difficult to comprehend these events though. Lisa

amycat412 · #3 09-19-2001, 07:11 PM

Hope you don't mind me butting in on your AGD board.

I've posted on other threads my connection to it and how hard a time I am having...

Sigh.
Why did this happen?

And that "move on" thread. How can I move on when my day to day existence has been so irreparably disrupted. When the people I spoke to, the people I emailed with, the people I met with, My entire department was lost in tower one?? (I work for a division of cantor fitzgerald)

I am TRYING to get back to normal and take care of myself and let my loved ones know how much I love them, but I am having a hard time shaking it, and I cannot and will not forget about it.

Amy

Lisa Fishman · #4 09-19-2001, 07:25 PM

Amy, That really is ashame someone said "move on". This affects thousands and thousands of famlies. Families that are directly affected with their family members on the planes involved. There are also families with loved ones on the ground in the buildings. There are also thousands and tousands of families with their loved ones preparing for war as we speak. Take care, Lisa

greeklawgirl · #5 09-19-2001, 07:37 PM

Thank you for sharing with us, Amy. I know I speak for all my sisters when I say that you are always welcome here.

I cannot imagine how you must feel knowing that your coworkers aren't with us anymore. This is just completely beyond my comprehension.

All I can think of, as someone who grew up in Brooklyn is, how can those buildings just be gone? I can't even tell you, how many times have I browsed in that Borders...or shopped for birthday presents in the Concourse...or had apple martinis at Greatest Bar on Earth...or dinner at Windows on the World? That view. You felt like you were on top of the world. What will people see when they cross over the Brooklyn Bridge or sail on the Ferry? I can't believe that they're just not...there.

Even worse, what about all those people? You can rebuild the WTC, but you can't replace those people. I think about what their last moments must have been like. I can't fathom it. I'm crying right now just typing it out. I just have a hole in my heart. Nothing will ever be the same again.

I can't move on, either. Its too soon for me. I feel like its wrong for me to be laughing right now. Entertainment seems so trivial. I always appreciated my family and friends, but if this tragedy has taught me anything, it is to hold the people you love even more tightly and tell them how important they are to you.

But what an awful way to be reminded that lesson. It is a bitter pill to swallow.

LeslieAGD · #6 09-20-2001, 08:22 AM

I know that I am still reeling from this tragedy but with Recruitment this week, I really haven't had time to stop and think about my own pain. I guess this is a good thing, but I'm afraid I'm going to wear myself out!

As I've told Maria, most of my family is in NY...and they all knew people who were taken in this tragedy. My uncle, a cab driver, had been at the WTC probably only 15-20 minutes before the first plane hit and my cousin's husband is a firefighter...he lost 18 of his friends/collegues. Sometimes I think about that and I just want to breakdown and cry.

LeslieAGD · #7 09-20-2001, 08:23 AM

did anyone notice that the newest member of GC's screenname is "osama bin laden" ...INAPPROPRIATE !

Lisa Fishman · #8 09-20-2001, 08:27 AM

Yes, I saw the new member's name. That is so sick. What was that person thinking?

greeklawgirl · #9 09-20-2001, 11:20 AM

Oh, my God. Are you guys kidding? I don't want to do a member search because I'm afraid of what I'll find. How insensitive.

UKAXO · #10 09-20-2001, 11:49 AM

Please excuse me for "crashing your board", ladies....

I DID check out this person's profile. Looks like he/she may be another one of those Greek nationals.....

Let's hope they don't post anything and just leave us alone....

Fraternally,

Caroline

carnation · #11 09-20-2001, 12:51 PM

I can tell you all that after a tragic loss, you never move on in some ways..you must move on in others. My father was killed in a plane crash almost tweny years ago, thanks to a plane manufacturer who hid the fact that that type plane had already been involved in 37 fatal crashes, due to a defective part.

In some ways, I had to move on. I was pregnant with my oldest and I knew my dad wouldn't want me to grieve incessantly or go crazy with anger, thus endangering my baby's life. I needed to go back to work and literally work out my anger. I knew I'd have to fly a lot in the future, so I had to let go of my fears about that, although I was a seasoned air traveler before the crash.

In other ways, survivors can never totally move on. My children will never know their granddad and all his special ways and gifts. Nor will he be able to rejoice in their accomplishments and personalities, or the way that so many of them look and act like he did. He was never able to retire and enjoy his ranch.

My siblings and I have been able to move on and have normal lives, but we will never, never forget.

greeklawgirl · #12 09-20-2001, 03:39 PM

Carnation,

You have my deepest sympathies on the loss of your dad. I, too, know what it is like to lose a close relative young and unexpectedly under sad circumstances. I know that in some ways you need to move on, but you never, ever, forget them.

At the risk of sounding trite...you are one classy lady. I enjoy reading your posts because you always have something thoughtful to contribute. I have nothing but admiration for you. God bless.

GLG

(PS: Caroline, I pray to God that the user is not a Greek national. My patience is very thin right now and I will give them a tongue-lashing the likes of which they've never seen before and will rarely see again. And I'll do it in BOTH languages just to make sure they get my drift. )

jeannine · #13 09-20-2001, 04:58 PM

Dear fellow Greeks:

I hope everyone gets a chance to visit this site that I am posting.

Yes, this is all very difficult to handle but we will overcome it all.

I was glad to see this page because it gave me a sense of pride and hope. It was wonderful to see the love and compasion that others are feeling. It is not just something that has brought Americans together but it has also brought many Nations together.

Let's hope that the bond that we are now feeling is remembered as future events unfold. Sure, there is a need to end terrorism, but we also need to be sure to not continue violence and death.

I hope that this web site brings all of you comfort.

Take care,
Jeannine

http://home.earthlink.net/~hankinhsd/thankyou.htm

UKAXO · #14 09-21-2001, 08:44 AM

Thank you so much for providing a link to that website....

I am sitting here on my lunch hour, trying very hard not to cry (and failing miserably).

I am a former State Dept employee, and to see pictures of people around the world, showing their compassion toward the US, is not something I am used to.

I used to work at the US Embassy in London. So many days, so many times from my office, you could see and hear people - many, many people - screaming in protest at the latest US "indiscretion".

There were days when we had to delay leaving the building, or leave via Marine escort at the back door, because people would actually THROW things at us!!! And this, in a country we consider our strongest ally. In my 3 years there, not once can I remember a "Pro-USA" rally at our Embassy. So, seeing these pictures brought TONS of emotion - and comfort - to me right now.

Thanks again for posting it.

Caroline

AGDLynn · #15 09-21-2001, 11:27 AM

What a powerful website! The colors so vividly display the emotions that are felt worldwide. As Walt Disney said decades ago, "It's a Small World Afterall!"

When visiting family the other day, I learned that my hometown' mill owner was just a few block from the WTC on 9/11. Another friend was flying back from the north to Atlanta. He was sitting next to a former pilot. At one point, the stewardness came over and whispered something to him. A few minutes, the pilot announced that they were going to be landing in Tenn - 45 minutes away. Denny asked the retired pilot if it was mechanical. The pilot answered quietly, "I don't think so". Denny thought that there may have been a bomb on board. Thankfully, nothing happened and everyone got home safely.

I have seen the strength of AGD love so I know that together, we will be there for one another.