I was in Middle School. We had heard about something happening, but were told to continue with class as usual. That was a big thing from the principal and the higher ups, go about your day like nothing happened.

So we did, we went to choir and the teacher, who was obviously flusttered, came into the room and was readying us for class. Told us to stand on the risers, and calm down. She handed out that music and was about ready to begin when she stopped.

She put down her hands, and closed her book and said "This is crazy. Why should we stand here and sing about happiness when we are all so sad? I'm not teaching today." She then guided us to the commons area where we watched the news for the rest of the class.

that day I saw both the second plane hit and the collapsing of both towers. Since I was in middle school, I understood what was going on .. like strategically (I played/play a lot of video games) but the human cost was just not hitting me. I still don't think it has fully hit me. My brain knows it, I understand it, but my heart has blocked the full impact out as to not break.

When I get really sad, the way I cope now is I shut down.

I feel bad for the people who lost loved ones. I don't have any kids so I can't even imagine how you parent felt. I do know that when my mom got home that day, and saw my sister and I on the couch watching the news, I don't think I have been hugged that hard in my life and her eyes were so big ... it must have been a rough day for her.