Today is probably one of the most difficult days I've had to deal with since my personal D-Day.<BR>I live in Westchester County NY and grew up in NYC. All family workds in NYC. Today NYC was attacked by terrorists. I'm a teacher so communication did not come quickly. However, as soon as we heard, we started to alert the staff and deal with the tidal wave of panic stricken parents. <BR>Since I'm not a classroom teacher I was given the unfortunate task of alerting the teachers of the events so that they would know how to respond to the children's reactions if they found out and thought they had relatives in or near the World Trade Center. Everyone was shocked to say the least, but managed totake the news as well as could be ecpected. However, one very young and new teacher's reaction was totally unexpected by me. Her fiance works at the World Trade Center. I stopped giving information and told her to make her calls and if she had to leave to go. She tried to make phone calls but nothing was going through and no one could get information. She wouldn't leave and said that the kids would keep her mind occupied. I couldn't beleive her strength.<BR>At that point I made time to make my own personal calls (H, sis, SIL everyone who worked in the city). I couldn't get through. Then I called my D's babysitter. She was frantic because everyone was calling her too and she couldn't reach anyone or give encouraging news. This is when the reality of everything that has been happening to me and my family hit me and I broke down in tears.<BR>I realized how different my heartbreak is compared to those families who will no longer have their loved ones in their lives PERMANENTLY. Although my pain is constant, at least I know I have been given the opportunity to make my life better and happier with my daughter and husband. My new found perspective gives me so much more hope in the future of my marriage. It devastates me however that it took a despicable and cowardly act of terrorism to make me realize this.<P><BR>My prayers go out to those families who are affected by this tragedy.

Please dont belittle your feelings. You are human and no one can fault you for having feelings. I will pray for you and your situation. What a horrific day!<BR>

Amazing story, healing my spirit. Let us know about that young teacher.<BR>I agree w/you....new perspective.<P>When d-day happened I kept saying how death WOULD have been worse......<P>love<BR>Debi<P>------------------<BR>Imagine....

Healing my Spirit the tragedy gives everyone a different aspect on life that is for sure. Love to Everyone here.<BR>Sonja

Dear Healing,<P>Your friend didnt happen to be on the news today did she? There was a lady on there looking for her fiance whom I believe she said was on the 94th floor on the first tower. her name started with a J and his a T. Let her know we are praying for her and her fiance. Even my hard hearted H was very affected by her story of searching on the news. This is one of many tragic stories and I just want them to know that we are all behind them and love them and are praying for them.<P>Love in Christ,<P>bw

The teacher who had the fiance who worked at the Towers is okay as well as her fiance. I should have posted sooner. I apologize for any undue stress.<BR>Her fiance is fine. He showed up at the school late in the afternoon without a scratch. Thank God!<BR>The teacher was very happy to see him to say the least. However, I don't think she realized how lucky he was because she still had not heard a lot of the information nor had she seen any of the news.<BR>Thankfully he was fine.<BR>We had a lot of absent students today and don't know if any of them were directly affected by the tragedy. We know of one uncle who was killed and several cousins or family friends that are still unaccounted for. <BR>Prayers are going out to all the families.<BR>