StoryCorps 9/11 Shorts: Always a Family - POV | PBS

POV

1 Mar 201203:32

Summary

TLDRThis heartfelt transcript captures a woman's emotional recollection of her relationship with her ex-husband, Michael, who tragically died on 9/11. She shares their early life together, marriage, and eventual divorce, while reflecting on the deep love they continued to share for their children. On the morning of 9/11, Michael called from the 103rd floor to say goodbye, expressing his love for her and their children. The woman finds solace in her children, who remind her of him every day. Despite their differences, she considers him her family and best friend.

Takeaways

💔 The speaker met Michael when they were 14, and they knew he would be their boyfriend.
💍 They got married at 19, acknowledging that they were both very young and unsure of what was next.
💔 After their divorce, the speaker was told by their kids that Michael still loved them, and they shared mutual feelings despite their separation.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Despite the divorce, the speaker emphasizes that they will always be a family for the sake of their children.
📅 On 9/11, the speaker received a call from Michael, who was on the 103rd floor of the building that had been hit by a plane.
📞 Michael called to say goodbye, expressing his love for both the speaker and their children.
💔 The speaker recounts the emotional difficulty of hearing this and how their daughter witnessed their reaction.
💬 Michael's last thoughts were about telling his children how much he loved them.
👨‍👧‍👦 The speaker sees Michael in their children, who resemble and behave like him, keeping his memory alive in their daily lives.
💔 Despite past challenges, the speaker refers to Michael as both their family and best friend, showcasing the deep bond they shared.

Q & A

How old was the speaker when they first met Michael?
-The speaker was 14 years old when they first met Michael.
At what age did the speaker marry Michael?
-The speaker married Michael when they were 19 years old.
What did the speaker reflect on regarding their early marriage?
-The speaker reflected that they were both kids at the time and didn't really know what to do next after getting married.
What did the speaker recall about Michael after their divorce?
-The speaker recalled that Michael confided in their children, telling them he still loved the speaker, and the speaker acknowledged this, saying she loved him too, even though they had gone their separate ways.
Where was Michael calling from on 9/11, and what was the purpose of his call?
-Michael was calling from the 103rd floor of the building that had just been hit by a plane on 9/11. He called to say goodbye and express his love for their children and the speaker.
How did the speaker react when Michael called on 9/11?
-The speaker became emotional and started to become hysterical, unsure whether to let their daughter speak to Michael, as Michael thought she was at school.
What was on Michael's mind during his final phone call?
-Michael's main focus during his final phone call was to tell the speaker and their children that he loved them.
How does the speaker feel about Michael after his death?
-The speaker feels heartbroken that Michael is not there for their children, but sees him in their children every day because they look, talk, and joke like him.
What did the speaker say about their relationship with Michael despite their divorce?
-The speaker mentioned that, despite their divorce, Michael was still her family and best friend.
How does the speaker cope with Michael's absence?
-The speaker copes by seeing Michael in their children every day, as they remind her of him in their appearance and behavior.

Outlines

00:00

💔 A Story of Love and Separation

The speaker reflects on their early relationship with Michael, whom they met at the age of 14 and later married at 19. Despite their youthful love, they acknowledge their inexperience and the uncertainty that followed after marriage. Following their divorce, their children revealed that Michael still loved the speaker, a sentiment the speaker reciprocated, despite their separation. The speaker emphasizes that although the marriage ended, the family bond remained strong, and both parents would always be there for their children.

📞 The Heartbreaking Goodbye on 9/11

On the morning of 9/11, the speaker recalls receiving a fateful phone call from Michael, who was on the 103rd floor of the building hit by a plane. Michael called to say goodbye, expressing his love for their children and revealing that he had always loved the speaker. The speaker, initially confused and unaware of the situation, struggled with how to react, especially with their daughter present. The emotions of the moment overwhelmed the speaker as they faced the tragic reality that Michael wouldn’t survive.

😔 A Father's Last Words of Love

In Michael's final moments, his primary concern was expressing his love for their children. The speaker shares how heart-wrenching it is that Michael is no longer there for the kids, but finds solace in the fact that their children look, talk, and even joke like him, keeping his presence alive in their lives. The speaker reflects on the bittersweet memories of their relationship, recognizing that despite the challenges, Michael was both family and a best friend.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Michael

Michael is the central figure in the narrator's story, as her husband and the father of their children. He represents both the emotional connection and the personal loss experienced by the narrator. The relationship between them, from their teenage years to their eventual separation, is key to understanding the video’s theme of enduring love and loss.

💡Marriage

Marriage in the video represents the bond between the narrator and Michael, which started when they were very young. Although they eventually divorced, the theme of marriage remains significant as it highlights the deep connection they shared despite their separation, as well as their shared responsibility as parents.

💡Divorce

Divorce is an important concept in the narrative, as it marks a major shift in the relationship between the narrator and Michael. Despite the end of their marriage, the video underscores how their connection remained strong, especially through their mutual love for their children.

💡9/11

9/11 refers to the tragic event of September 11, 2001, when terrorist attacks occurred in the U.S. It forms the backdrop for Michael’s final conversation with the narrator, as he was in the building that was hit by a plane. The mention of 9/11 adds a layer of historical and emotional significance to the story, emphasizing the sense of sudden loss.

💡Children

The narrator and Michael’s children are a central part of the story. They are mentioned both in terms of how much Michael loved them and in how the narrator sees him in them after his death. The children symbolize continuity and the lasting impact of a person, even after they are gone.

💡Goodbye Call

The goodbye call is a pivotal moment in the video. Michael calls the narrator from the 103rd floor of the building hit by the plane, signaling his impending death. The call illustrates the love he still had for his family, and his focus on expressing that love in his final moments.

💡Love

Love is a recurring theme throughout the narrative. Michael’s love for his children and the narrator, despite their separation, is emphasized both in his final phone call and through the memories shared. Love, in this context, transcends time and circumstances, forming the emotional core of the video.

💡Family

Family is portrayed as a strong, enduring connection, even after divorce or death. The narrator emphasizes that she and Michael, though no longer married, will always remain a family for their children. The concept of family extends beyond legal or romantic ties, focusing instead on emotional and parental bonds.

💡Hysteria

Hysteria refers to the narrator’s emotional reaction during Michael’s call, as she begins to realize the gravity of the situation. This moment highlights the overwhelming emotional distress that comes with sudden loss and fear. It reflects the human response to catastrophic events, especially when loved ones are involved.

💡Memory

Memory plays a significant role in the video, especially after Michael’s death. The narrator sees him in their children—through their appearance, behavior, and mannerisms. Memory serves as a way to keep Michael present in their lives, illustrating how those we love remain with us even after they are gone.

Highlights

Meeting Michael at 14 years old and knowing he would be her boyfriend.

Getting married at 19, both being young and unsure of what would come next.

Divorce and the kids revealing that their father still loved her.

Her knowing that she still loved him too, despite their separation.

Telling her kids that even though mommy and daddy went separate ways, they would always be a family.

On 9/11, getting a call from Michael at 9:04 from the 103rd floor of the building hit by the plane.

Michael calling to say goodbye, and her initial confusion, asking him where he was going.

Michael's intention was to tell her how much he loved the children.

He also wanted to tell her that he had always loved her, which she already knew from their kids.

Her daughter witnessing her becoming hysterical upon receiving the call.

Not knowing whether to put her daughter on the phone, as she didn’t know how Michael would react.

The heartache of knowing Michael isn't there for the kids anymore.

Remembering that all Michael wanted to do was tell the kids he loved them before he died.

Her two children look, talk, and joke like Michael, keeping his presence alive in her daily life.

Despite their differences, Michael was her family and best friend.