MY Memoir final draft

It was a normal day as I walked into class in the morning and sat in my assigned seat right near my best friend Greg. The classroom was relatively subtle, maybe 20 desks and a vibrant blackboard full of color. Posters about math and science covered the walls; the blackboard always had the current assignment. We laughed, joked and complained about how boring school was and how we couldn’t wait to the day it is over so we can go home. We loved Mrs. Blake’s class but we hated school, who at that age didn’t. Everyone proceeded to come in and we got ready to start our daily routine. We had our do now and I remember it was only 5 math problems. I was the first one done and I really wanted to go to the one place we didn’t have to learn, the gym. Suddenly if felt as if the world stopped for me and everyone in the state of New York, an announcement was made to lock the doors; and that everyone was required to stay in class! We turned on the TV and saw a plane crashing into one of the twin towers. I was shocked and in awe. I asked my teacher what was going on. She ran out of class and told another lady to come in. She had to call her husband who worked at the world trade center; we later found out that he made it. I couldn’t believe it and couldn’t comprehend what was exactly happening. This moment drastically changed my perspective on my life. I believe that 9/11 changed my character as having known victims and almost losing my father to this tragic event.
In my class there were a lot of people who had family members working in the city. One of students’ dads worked in the World Trade Center tower number one. I remember him, Kevin, the most. We weren’t really friends and didn’t really care for each other but everything changes when something like that happen. He started to cry when he saw the video and heard the commentary. He wanted to leave; but in the fifth grade there was nothing he could do, the teacher had to follow the rules. This was when I realized that my dad was in the area and my best friend Greg said the same thing. His dad was in the south tower and was nervous when the north tower was hit. This was all happening and it was only nine o’clock and the tower was hit at 8:45 AM. It felt as if ten hours had passed but it was only 15 minutes. Then the most unthinkable thing happened, the second tower was hit. This time we were watching it live and my heart just stopped. The air left my lungs and I felt as if someone punched me in my stomach. I immediately looked over at Greg and saw his tears start to come out. His Dad worked in tower two. This was the error of no cell phones, so there was no way for us to contact our parents. This was hard for students, especially for him since his dad was in the south tower. My teacher who left the room came back in with tears and a smile. I will never forget her face when she told us that her husband had just called and had come out unharmed. I was still so confused and was asking what had happen. She tried to explain but all I got from the speech was that bad men took control of the planes and killed our people. Then my mom came to picked me up and said that my dad was fine. Greg came with us and when we dropped him off his mom told him his dad was actually late to work and that it saved his life. That moment was so shocking and woke me up as to what actually occurred. I couldn’t believe my friend’s face when he hugged his mom and smiled. We were happy that our dads’ had made it out okay but we were completely oblivious as to what actually had just happened.
It is understandable how I reacted to those events in the 5th grade; however, I wish, I was as mature and responsible as I am now. I acted so immature and only cared about my family. I think that after this event occurred, I could have been more helpful to others and to the people in my class. As a child, you act differently to certain things and this was one of them. I didn’t fully understand what had occurred and when I finally understood my life changed. It may have changed before and I didn’t know it yet. I had almost lost my dad and my friend almost lost his. It really puts life into perspective and now I understand my dad’s constant protection of us. Life is so fragile; it can be taken from you at any given time. I learned that you should appreciate what you have and that life and family should not be taken for granted.
Now, I am older and can fully comprehend the destruction of property and loss of life that the attacks of September 11 caused. It has changed my perspective on life completely. The change that occurred in me is completely visible. I am very aware of the local, state and national politics. When I look back on those days, I remember the pain people endure during those dreadful hours. I am a more sympathetic and loving person because of the lessons learned from those events. The things that those people lost on September 11 are irreplaceable. People go their whole life and take it for granted. I would not be the same if my dad wasn’t here. Some call me lucky; I just say I’m fortunate for still having my dad. I’m sorry for the lost and pain that others have felt. I wish no one in the world would have to endure that pain.