On 9/11 I was sent home from the office because it was not only feared that general infrastructure might be targeted, but also because no one was getting anything done and management felt it better to just send everyone home to cope. After general confusion, several hours worth of news and making sure my friends in DC were safe, I went out with a group of people to grab a burger and a drink to get our minds off of what happened. Following that, I noticed something strange in all of the horror: since I knew everyone important to me was okay, everything took on the soft calm of a snow day and, for some moments, I kind of enjoyed it. No work, no traffic, no aircraft rumbling overhead on approach to TIA. Everything had been interrupted, everyone had gone home and it was quieter than Christmas morning.
I made a pot of tea, killed the TV, and curled up with a book. I feel guilty as hell for taking the time to enjoy it.
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