Centerville, Ohio — The pictures from 9/11 are still burned in our memories.
Most of us watched the terrorists attacks on our televisions, a half a world away. But, Jennifer Gardner Trulson was in New York City and saw the devastation first hand. Her husband, Doug, was in one of the Twin Towers.
“I turned on the television and I saw the towers falling and I knew my life was over,” explains Jennifer.
A moment that changed her life forever.
She knew she had to pick herself up and go on.
“It was devastating and it was one of those things where you want to rip your skin off. I had a 4-year-old and a 2-year-old and I didn’t really have a choice. I had to be their parent. I had to be their source of strength when I had none,” she says.
Even though time passes, she says it never makes her loss any easier. “We just try to live in our loved ones’ lives and not their deaths,” comments Jennifer.
Now, she shares her story of heartbreak and recovery. She recently wrote a memoir about her husband’s death, in hopes that it helps someone else.
She spoke to a group at the Boonshoft Center for Jewish Culture and Education Thursday night.
Bev Titus came from Urbana to hear Jennifer’s story. Her daughter, Alicia, was a flight attendant on one of the planes that hit the Twin Towers.
“It’s still a very difficult journey. It’s a very hard time of the year,” says Bev.
She says talking to the families of other victims, like Jennifer, helps her heal.
“Every loss is different but you’re connected to them in a way that’s very deep,” she explains.
Alicia Titus’ family has set up The Alicia Titus Memorial Scholarship Fund. For more information, go here.
Doug Gardner’s family has set up a foundation in his name to help disadvantaged kids in New York City. For more information, go here.
For a video about Ms. Trulson and Mrs. Titus, please click here.
