Updating My Life

Ten Years Later

I lived in New York during the attacks of September 11th, 2001.
At that time, I was still in the broadcasting business and living in a cool beach town out on Long Island. I was single and living the New York lifestyle.

As with many New Yorkers and folks around the country - my life changed dramatically after the attacks. Below are the e-mails I shared with friends and family - recounting my memories.
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From: “ellen N”
To: Mailing List
Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2001, 1:15 PM

Subject: Thanks again

Thanks again to so many of you who’ve called and e-mailed me here in New York. Please know that I appreciate your efforts and your thoughts and prayers.

As Wednesday unfolded for me in New York, the devastation began to sink in. I was finally able to speak to a dear friend of mine who works on the Trading Floor. He worked directly across the street from the massive destruction and my heart broke for him as he recounted some grisly facts to me.

He told me how he was on the ground, looking upward as the second plane struck the second tower. He recounted how he witnessed men and women falling from both Towers; a visualization I can barely fathom, yet he saw with his own eyes.

Another dear friend of mind who works for Chase Manhattan was still shaking today as she told me of how she evacuated the Chase Plaza from the 23rd floor and the fear she felt as she descended the stairs…not knowing what to expect when she reached the ground level. She was one of the thousands who escaped New York on foot over one of the bridges.

I realize this travesty affects all of us, but I ask you to please keep the folks of New York in your prayers at this time. It has touched virtually every citizen of this state in some way or another.

I suggest flying the American Flag in a united show of support. It would mean a lot to so many people.

Thanks again from the bottom of my heart to all of you who’ve kept me in your thoughts and prayers.

We all need to continue to pray for the real victims and the Emergency crews and everyone who has been personally touched by this tragedy.

Ellen

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Fm: Ellen N
To: Mailing List
Sent: September 03, 2003, 7:46 AM
Subject: Two Years Ago…

Two years ago today, at this very moment, I was standing outside my apartment on Long Island inNew York and seeing the billowing ball of white smoke that was feverishly taking over the crystal blue skyline of New York City.

I’d been awoken that morning by a phone call from my mother. From her kitchen in Wisconsin, shewas actually the first to alert me of the drama that was playing out a mere 20 miles from my apartment in New York. After speaking with her and realizing the enormity of what I was experiencing, hundreds of things were absorbed into my brain in a split second….

Was I going to be okay? Were my friends and family around the country going to be okay? What was

REALLY happening? On and on and on and on…..I remember calling friends and family in an effort to do a check-list of all those I knew who could be potentially affected.

I remember speaking with my friend Sonya who works for American Express. Their headquarters were at Ground Zero; however she was working from home that day. I remember speaking with her husband Chun, who worked on the Trading Floor. He described the dreadful scene of how he witnessed bodies falling from the sky.

I remember holding the hand of my friend Katie who had been trapped on the 23rd floor of the Chase Manhattan building, as she told me about how she’d been paralyzed with fear at the thought of never seeing her two children again.

I remember being with Holly as her rookie-cop husband came home from having spent nearly 72 hours straight in the recovery effort. He spoke of the smells, the sights and the sounds……

I remember going into Manhattan exactly one week after the attacks and seeing first-hand the devastation and the horror that was still so fresh. I personally saw young and exhausted fire fighters and police personnel who were sleeping in cars trying to get some more energy to continue the search.

I remember walking down the street of lower Manhattan and being able to clearly hear the conversation of the couple walking on the other side of the street…because it was still so quiet.

I remember hearing the stories from my friend Pete who had been in Europe on business and whose plane had been diverted to Nova Scotia where he spent four days in a gymnasium until they were given clearance to return to New York.

I remember speaking to Cathy who was trapped in an airport in California, not knowing if that City would also be a target.

I remember September 11th, 2001 like it was yesterday.
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Ten Years Later....
I'm now beginning my tenth year in the Senior Living Industry, specializing in Alzheimer's & Dementia. I live in South Carolina with the most amazing Southern Gentleman who became my husband three years ago.

I lost a brother suddenly this year when he died of a massive heart attack while running in a 5K race.

In July, I attended my 20 year college reunion.

Sadly, I've lost touch with several of the New Yorkers, mentioned in the previous updates. However, I still stay connected to New York through my pals there in the broadcasting industry.

My life in 2011 doesn't come close to resembling my life in 2001. If it's possible, I'm actually stronger, more convicted and more filled with faith for God and Country. I continue to be professionally driven however, my wonderful husband creates a stable balance for me between work and family. He's a rock, I never would've imagined in 2001.

September 11th, 2001 changed the world forever. And, it impacted my life - in ways I'm still discovering. However, no matter how far that date fades into the rearview mirror........

I will always Remember.

20 years????

A cheeshead at heart!

August 2011

The Gent & I traveled to Milwaukee, the last week of July. We made the trip, to my hometown to celebrate my 20 year college reunion!!! 20 years? Crap, I'm old!

The Gent is a fantastic travel partner. While walking down memory lane with me...he got to meet some of my college pals, hear the stories and see the building on campus where my broadcasting journey began.

We ate and drank our way through Milwaukee. We toured the new Al McGuire center and the updated Communications building. It was a whirlwind weekend, for sure!!

The Gent picks out his favorites!

Me and my favorite guy!

Settled in the Sanctuary

March, 2011

My Southern Gentleman & I have a couple of milestones quickly approaching. In May we'll be celebrating our third year of wedded bliss in conjunction with our First anniversary in our lovely home. We continue to call our house; Our Sanctuary!

Gosh, each day this house lends itself to new experiences, adventures and memories-in-the-making. Recently, the Gent called me (while I was on the road for work) and told me that he'd seen SEVEN deer in our front yard while several rabbits hopped around too.

He was in "country-boy-hunter-heaven'!

Since the Gent hung the bird feeders, we are seeing a gi-normous variety of birds in our trees and yard. We've also noticed a Hawk that majestically flies from tree to tree and perches on branches overlooking our house. He looks so regal as he surveys all the action of the smaller birds at the feeders.

Yes, it's truly a 'Doctor-Doolittle -Dream- Land' for the Gent and I.

Our Sanctuary is such a lovely landing-spot for me, when I come home from a long week of travel. As I pull up into our driveway, I feel all the anxieties of the week melt away and my heart skips a beat as I anticipate my Blue-Eyed-Southern Gentleman greeting me at the door. Although the home-comings are outstanding......the Good-byes are getting more and more difficult each passing week.

When the alarm goes off on a Monday and the mad-race to the airport begins...As the Sanctuary grows smaller in my review mirror, I frequently have to bite back a tear or two...and shift gears into work mode again. UGH!

The Gent & I joke about winning the lottery one day - and never having to worry about leaving the Sanctuary again. However, we also realize that to win the Lottery....we should probably begin PLAYING it one of these days.

I've had fun decorating our space and filling it with fantastic furniture finds. Our steel bed was made in Arkansas. Our dining room table was made by an Amish Craftsman in Indiana! God Bless American Made furniture!

Now that the interior is complete we plan to turn our attention to the exterior. This spring we plan to tackle landscaping. The Gent wants to plant a couple of Dogwoods and a Magnolia tree in the front yard. Yep, that's right - this former 'New York City President of the Sisters-in-Singlehood' is actually filled with anticipation for the arrival of the Dogwoods and Magnolia trees!

Yikes, I barely recognize my life!

However, living on two acres of wooded land surrounded by the lovely sounds and visions that nature creates...is a truly magical place to be.

Yep, it's a SANCTUARY.

Our Sanctuary!

Aug, 2010

The Southern Gent & I are getting settled into our Sanctuary!

Okay, so it's only 2 acres of wooded land in South Carolina. But, it's ours and we love it!!!