'I could hear others in the newsroom calling family members'

It was a beautiful morning. I did a lot of singing on the way in to work, arriving at 8 a.m.

As I walked into the newsroom, I saw a group of people watching the television in the sports department ... very unusual at that time of day.

Instead of walking to my desk, I went to see what they were looking at. The first plane had already hit the tower, and I could hear speculation about what had happened ... maybe a traffic copter incident or something tragic but certainly accidental.

Then we all saw the second plane hit.

We felt sure that it was no accident. I walked to my desk. Very soon after I sat down, Doug Ray walked into the newsroom. As he quickly walked into his office, he asked me to come in and take a note.

He dictated a memo to senior newsroom staff, outlining the first steps to be taken to cover the horrific event. I don't remember what the steps were, but I do remember my hands were shaking badly and I could barely write. It was sinking in that this could impact my son Marco, who had joined the Navy a few months prior.

I was so right. Another thing I remember specifically was the eerie reverse traffic on the tollway, and the silent sky. I could hear others in the newsroom calling family members, somehow just needing to hear their voices.

My older son Mario had moved to a new apartment the day before. I remember calling him because he didn't have cable service yet for TV, and obviously no smartphone at that time. He said I told him the world was ending and I didn't want him to be caught off guard when he left for work.

I don't remember saying the world was ending, but it's a sentiment that must have seemed likely at the time.

• Karen DiGiulio was editorial departmental secretary on Sept. 11, 2001.