Everyone obviously knows about the tragedy that occurred in Minneapolis yesterday. It's hard for a lot of people to comprehend the state of shock the city is in following it... but it's one of those things that no one can even begin to understand. It's something I can't get out of my head... can't stop thinking about. Luckily, the one friend I still hadn't heard back from as of today finally got in touch with me at about 11 pm tonight and I can safely say all my loved ones are safe.
Last night, I stayed at work late (at the time, not too pleased about it). My phone rang at 6:30 and I was further annoyed assuming someone needed something... only to hear my sister's voice on the other line asking me "have you heard?" My mind raced to dozens of different possibilities in those split seconds, never imagining what she was going to tell me. I told my coworker and we went into an office to check the news. We then turned around to see a cloud of smoke rising up in the distance and news helicopters already circling overhead.
Had it not been for the phone call from my sister, I wouldn't have known she was ok and would have been frantic... knowing how often she's on that bridge, how close it is to her apartment, etc. I stayed at work for a while longer to watch the news... and then headed to catch a bus. People walked up and down Nicollet Mall visibly in shock. Some were crying... some were pacing back and forth... others were seemingly oblivious to what had happened and simply didn't notice. Dozens of people were gathered around the WCCO studios watching the news and I watched as people on the bus one at a time received phone calls telling them what had happened.
I got home and I started calling. I know that we were supposed to keep the cell phone use to a minimum but I had good reason to believe that any number of my friends could have been in the area due to where they live and work. It is the second time in less than 4 months that I have been calling frantically to account for people I love in a devastating situation... a feeling I hope to never have again.
In my selfishness, I actually allowed myself to get angry at friends who hadn't called to check in either to tell me they were ok or to see that I was. Realizing how petty and stupid that is... I snapped out of it and continued to call.
Downtown was eerie today. Strangers asked each other if their families were ok, people were especially courteous, smiled the all-knowing smile to comfort the people they passed on the street. People gathered around the TVs in the skyway level by the dozen... everyone with their hands over their mouths, shaking their heads, and standing wide eyed.
Throughout the day, I've caught myself on the verge of tears for no other reason than that it is slowly hitting me. It seems somewhat over-dramatic to feel so affected by it... it's not like we were the victims of a terrorist attack or anything... and yet it is a numb feeling that I can't brush off... and when I do for a few seconds, I get emotional about the devastation--and yet the resiliency--of the people of Minneapolis. More than anything, I am proud.
Last night, I stayed at work late (at the time, not too pleased about it). My phone rang at 6:30 and I was further annoyed assuming someone needed something... only to hear my sister's voice on the other line asking me "have you heard?" My mind raced to dozens of different possibilities in those split seconds, never imagining what she was going to tell me. I told my coworker and we went into an office to check the news. We then turned around to see a cloud of smoke rising up in the distance and news helicopters already circling overhead.
Had it not been for the phone call from my sister, I wouldn't have known she was ok and would have been frantic... knowing how often she's on that bridge, how close it is to her apartment, etc. I stayed at work for a while longer to watch the news... and then headed to catch a bus. People walked up and down Nicollet Mall visibly in shock. Some were crying... some were pacing back and forth... others were seemingly oblivious to what had happened and simply didn't notice. Dozens of people were gathered around the WCCO studios watching the news and I watched as people on the bus one at a time received phone calls telling them what had happened.
I got home and I started calling. I know that we were supposed to keep the cell phone use to a minimum but I had good reason to believe that any number of my friends could have been in the area due to where they live and work. It is the second time in less than 4 months that I have been calling frantically to account for people I love in a devastating situation... a feeling I hope to never have again.
In my selfishness, I actually allowed myself to get angry at friends who hadn't called to check in either to tell me they were ok or to see that I was. Realizing how petty and stupid that is... I snapped out of it and continued to call.
Downtown was eerie today. Strangers asked each other if their families were ok, people were especially courteous, smiled the all-knowing smile to comfort the people they passed on the street. People gathered around the TVs in the skyway level by the dozen... everyone with their hands over their mouths, shaking their heads, and standing wide eyed.
Throughout the day, I've caught myself on the verge of tears for no other reason than that it is slowly hitting me. It seems somewhat over-dramatic to feel so affected by it... it's not like we were the victims of a terrorist attack or anything... and yet it is a numb feeling that I can't brush off... and when I do for a few seconds, I get emotional about the devastation--and yet the resiliency--of the people of Minneapolis. More than anything, I am proud.
No comments:
Post a Comment