As we reach the 13^th anniversary of September 11^th, I remember the day like it was yesterday. I was fourteen years old and running late to my first period class at Brooklyn High School of the Arts. I had been up late the night before working in the studio on my first album, so I rushed to school.

As I entered the school, a student who was a bit of a class clown, broke the news to me that a plane had crashed into the first tower. Not really taking him seriously I took note of his comment, but hurried past him to class. About a minute after I entered my science class, the principal walked in and announced the crash, advising the teacher to keep every one in the room.

I immediately grabbed my phone and tried to call my parents, but the lines were busy. As I looked around the classroom no one was able to make outside calls. Shortly after, a second plane hit the second tower. My school went into a state of emergency and security locked down the building, but not before a friend and myself slipped out of the side doors. We were on our way to my nearest relatives' house, which was my grandmother. I did not want to be away from my family if this was the end. At the time everyone was already speculating that it was a terrorist attack.

My dad phoned his mother's house and was able to get through because she had a land-line telephone connected. He pleaded with his sister to come get me from school, as he was also worried. To my surprise, as my friend and I ran to my grandma's house I bumped into my aunt who was actually on her way to get me. We went to the house and watched everything else that happened on the news.

While the rescue workers hurried into the Towers, the disaster became a catastrophe as one tower fell after the other. My grandmother's house was located in Brooklyn directly by the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges so I watched hundreds and hundreds of people flee from Manhattan into Brooklyn via the bridges. The television screens were filled with the chilling images of New Yorkers in lower Manhattan running from the Towers as ash and debris filled the air.

When my dad finally arrived he held me tight and immediately worked up a plan to get to my mother and younger brother who were currently on the other side of Brooklyn. Travel had been completely shut down. No trains were running and several people had abandoned their cars in the middle of the road. My uncle mustered up enough courage to hop in his car and drive to my grandmother's house to pick us up and drive us home. We cautiously drove on streets and sidewalks since some of the abandoned cars were left directly in the middle of the streets, and some of the traffic lights were not functioning.

When we finally got home, we all embraced, cried, and thanked God that we were all okay. I went outside and all of my neighbors were out in front of their homes, broken and praying for a miracle as people were trapped under the rubble of the collapsed buildings. My good friend Michael, joined me on my front stoop as I tried to console myself by gently singing "God Bless America." We discussed what the attacks might mean for America as tiny remnants of ash fell from the sky on our faces, even though we were miles away.

As I write this piece, over looking the September 11^th memorial from my office skyscraper window, I remember this day as if it was yesterday. Terror and violence has always been around, but it was the first time it was in our backyard.

We ended that horrific night with a prayer, which my dad led, and everyone on my neighborhood block joined in. As tears rolled down our faces for the victims of September 11^th in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, and the third plane that crashed in Pennsylvania, the tragedy brought us closer. What the enemy meant for evil to destroy and divide us actually brought us together in the United States.

(Photo : Albert Djurasevic Photography (PERMISSION))

*Recording artist and actress Jeannie Ortega is a contributor to BreatheCast who shares her experiences in the music industry, becoming a Christian artist, life in the public eye, and transforming into a Christian. In 2007 she ignited her way onto the Billboard Charts with her hit "Crowded." Now, years later she is transitioning her way into Christian music. For more information on Jeannie and her music visit JeannieO.com.