An Unexplainable Story

One day, I woke, wide awake, at 5AM.

This never happens as I am a good sleeper and normally wake around 8AM. But, an idea was in my mind. An idea for a book:

50/50

Fifty stories From Fifty States

Incredibly, and from seeming nowhere, the whole book was fully formed in my mind. I would contact friends from across the country and have them tell me their stories. Were they born in their state? If not, what drew them there? Did they like it? What did they like about it? What was special about their state? And so on.

Excited, I got out of bed, walked to my office through the dark rooms, and turned on the computer. I looked at my address book. Did I even know people in every state? I was not sure but I did have a friend from high school in Alaska!

I created a synopsis of the book idea, and sent out a mass mailing to 38 people that were either friends or people I had worked with, and from Alaska in the upper left corner to Florida in the lower right corner. Then, the lack of sleep hit me, hard. At 7Am, I crawled back into bed.

A few hours later I woke and immediately thought: Did I get any responses?

I did! About a half-dozen people had already emailed and the loved the idea. As I happily corresponded and reminisced about old times with people across America I was unaware that, at 10:28AM in New York City, a plane had crashed into the World Trade Tower.

 

 

There is no doubt in my mind that this is a story about precognition. On an extraordinary day I abruptly woke, fully alert, with an urge to reach out and touch old friends and associates across America.

On an extraordinary day.

I had no sense of what was to happen. I had no sense of impending doom. What I did sense was an urgent need to embrace people I cared about.

On an extraordinary day

 

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6 Comments

  1. David Franks on March 2, 2020 at 9:08 pm

    Do you already have somebody from Arkansas in your address book?

  2. Karen Spencer on March 2, 2020 at 9:22 pm

    Hi Ross,
    I am slightly confused if this happened today or on 9/11.

    I was born in Astoria, Queens. NY and I was definitely here on that crystal clear blue day when the planes hit the towers.

    It was surreal, and many times since then, when it is that kind of totally clear sky blue day, I get that eerie feeling all, over again, of glorious beauty contrasting so strangely with tremendous tragedy.

    I think you know many people from your time in NYC , but if you need any additional insight, I am a dyed in the wool New Yorker.

    Off subject I have just started Erik Larson’s “The Splendid and the Vile.” I was thinking I would read Ross MacTaggart nest. I so need to get out of this century,

    • Ross on March 2, 2020 at 9:29 pm

      Karen, my story is about 9/11.

      • Karen Spencer on March 3, 2020 at 3:47 pm

        Wow. Yes I understand now—the first line—One day, I woke, wide awake, at 5AM.

        All my best to you dear Ross.

        Reading your blog has been a source of refuge and joy for me during several challenging years.

        Thank you for all you give Ross. You are adored by many.

  3. Amanda on March 3, 2020 at 8:39 am

    I firmly believe we are all connected somehow. I also believe this world would be a better place if we could all feel that connection on a deeper level. Seems to me that it would eliminate so much hate, petty prejudices, etc. It would open the door for us all to live and let live, and be able to walk in love no matter the differences.

  4. Dodi on March 3, 2020 at 7:40 pm

    Hard to believe that it’s been almost 20 years. I was interviewing for a new job that morning, and when I saw it on the monitors where I was applying, I didn’t believe that it was real. Somehow that day was surreal in all instances. Yes, I got the job, but the day lingered ever since.

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