Where were you? That’s the question that is asked nation-wide on Sept. 11 each year as people look back and remember where they were as terrorists attacked our country.
Well, now I’m asking: Where were you Oct. 1 around 10:08 p.m.? I was at home. I had just finished watching a Snapchat video from my cousin who was in Las Vegas at the “American Horror Story: Freak Show.” The last video was shared around 8 p.m.
I went to sleep early that night. When I woke up Monday I did not get online, which is rare for me as I am someone who checks the news all day, every day. It wasn’t until about 9 a.m. that I heard about the attack. I was driving when my mom called asking if I had heard from my cousin.
“No, she’s in Vegas. Why would I hear from her?”
The phone went silent.
This was the second time in my life my mom had to inform me about a tragic incident taking place in our country, the first being Sept. 11, 2001.
I could hear her voice shake as she told me that my cousin had not yet responded to text messages or updated social media to let everyone know she was safe.
Luckily my cousin is safe. Her phone died during the incident and she couldn’t update anyone until 6:39 a.m. (Las Vegas time).
“I can’t begin to describe to you how truly terrified and panicked we were as well as everyone around us,” she said in a Facebook post. “It was complete chaos and confusion. No matter what decisions we made we felt unsafe. We were so fortunate to have each other during all of this and to meet so many kind, caring and concerned strangers amongst all the chaos last night truly is remarkable. Everyone wanted to help protect everyone. I have chills just telling you all of this.”
I also have chills.
What has happened to this country? Why are all of the recent headlines the same? When will it stop?
I cannot begin to understand how everyone in Vegas is feeling after this incident, but I am encouraged to the see the country come together and wrap its arms around Las Vegas.
This has got to stop. Our country is not okay. Our world is not okay.
