Lisa Groarke
Elizabeth Turner: A Biography.
The year was 2001 and the day was a cold and wet November one when Elizabeth held her new-born baby boy, William Simon Turner, for the first time. All around her, there was a buzz of excitement as new parents met and held their precious infants for the first time.
Across the ward, Elizabeth witnessed a father gently cradling his child in his arms, Experiencing so many emotions and feelings for the first time which is when she suddenly, without warning, Elizabeth realizes her mouth is open like a hollow tunnel as she finds herself gently screaming inside.
Looking into William’s eyes, she is overwhelmed with emotion- his father, her husband Simon, should be here to share this wonderful joyous moment but, but for reasons beyond either of their understanding or control, he is not. Why? Why? Why?
Getting ready for work early one morning in September, Elizabeth’s thoughts were with her husband, Simon, who was away on a business trip- the last, he promised before their child would be born. She was looking forward to him being around more and for them to put the finishing touches to the nursery, which still needed a decision on the colour for the walls.
With that, she switched off the television, grabbed her keys off the sideboard and put the house alarm on before leaving for work.
Meeting followed meeting in the busy channel four offices, until Elizabeth’s best friend and co-worker Jane picked her up for their lunch date, which consisted of office gossip, laughter and an airing of frustration of the day so far. All the fun of lunch meant Elizabeth completely forgot that Simon had not called at his usual time. When lunch was over, both women fought to pay the bill for each other, until they eventually decided to go halves. All the back to the office there was a hint of chaos on the streets but Elizabeth took little regard. She was too preoccupied with the afternoon meeting; she was already running late for.
Upon returning to her second floor office, all eyes turned to greet her. Elizabeth blushed a dark plum colour, Peter, Elizabeth’s Chief Executive, carefully putting his arm around her shoulder gently brought Elizabeth into her office and sat her down. For Elizabeth, it was though things were going in slow motion; she could feel her heart beating as fast and as strong as a drum. Elizabeth’s thoughts quickly turned to the missed telephone call from Simon. Why had he not phoned? She had just assumed he was busy, why was there so much commotion on the streets after her lunch with Jane? Why had all eyes turned to greet her just now? In addition, why was Peter standing in her office looking at her apologetically?
Peter turned on the television in Elizabeth’s office. A building was standing innocently beside its twin; yet something was very, very wrong. Initially she could not quiet work it out but every channel was broadcasting the vision repeatedly of an aeroplane crashing-seemingly intentionally, into one of the buildings- exactly where Simon was supposed to have called from. Elizabeth looked to Peter for answers to questions she did not have ask.
The rest of the afternoon was a blur for Elizabeth as tried desperately hard to remain calm insisting that her team continue the best they could. She told herself Simon would call any minute to reassure her that he was ok. She would not allow herself to contemplate the thought of losing her rock, best friend and her soul mate.
Jane rushed from her office to Elizabeth’s to be with her best friend; with her she brought the sadden and shocking news that would have devastating effects world wide, that both towers had completely collapsed. No sooner had the she finished the last word when the phone rang. Relief flooded Elizabeth and a smile crossed her face for the first time that afternoon.
“ Simon?” she whispered, on the verge of tears.
“ Hello? I am calling regarding window serv…” Started the voice at the other end, for it was not Simon. Elizabeth dropped the phone and did everything she could not to break down and sob, her brave exterior quickly slipping away.
Elizabeth sat in the office and tried quickly to compose herself. All the television sets around the office continued with the events that had just unfolded. Optimistic thoughts ran through her head perhaps he had been taken to hospital, perhaps, what with all the lines being busy, he could not get through. Looking up at the clear blue September sky, Elizabeth did something she had not done in a long time, and prayed, but the aching of waiting for Simon to call was all to much for her to bear. She felt cocooned in silence as though she had been placed in a dark room with only a tiny window for air,
When Elizabeth finally received the news she had been dreading, that Simon had indeed died in the North Tower, her whole life fell apart, taking with it her strength, confidence and her independence. Facing the prospect of being a widow and a single parent at the age of 33 and being 7 months pregnant, Elizabeth felt very alone. She clutched her stomach as if to protect the growing child inside from a world that was seemingly crumbling down around them. Friends and family rallied around, providing what comfort they could but she really wanted was for Simon to phone or walk through the door and tell her that everything was going to be ok again.
As part of the support network for Elizabeth, I saw first had how heart broken and devastated Elizabeth truly was.
As time moved on, Elizabeth found herself turning towards Reiki Healing for some inner strenght, she had always been a spirtual person and now more than ever she found it provided her with the courage and determination she needed to forgive. To forgive you needto accept and it was this next step in her life that she knew she need to take. Simon would not be coming home and sharing the birth and upbringing of their first born.
Elizabeth found the strength to visit ground zero, after William was born. She met others who had lost their loved ones and this provided some comfort. She was presented with Simon’s airline ticket stub- the only item of his that was found.
The next few years for Elizabeth were difficult but, together with love and support from her and friends, together with her spiritual belief, they found the strength to carry on. Seven years on and now, Elizabeth now coaches in Reiki Healing, and William is doing very well at school.
With a moment’s notice, a person’s life can be turned upside down with no regard to the lives it was disrupting and tearing apart. Elizabeth’s storey has inspired me to go out and achieve what I want from life, as all too quickly it can be taken away like a waiter pulling at a tablecloth from the table, except all is not always left intact.
By Lisa Groarke