New York City

It was just another Tuesday morning.

Another ordinary day of work was getting underway.

Then everything changed.

None of them knew they were living through the final moments of a normal morning.

8:46 9:03 9:37 9:59 10:03 10:28

8:46am - North Tower struck

9:03am - South Tower struck — live on television

9:37am - Pentagon attacked

9:59am - South Tower collapses

10:03am - Flight 93 crashes in Pennsylvania

10:28am - North Tower collapses

BUT

Not everyone was lost that day.

1. I can't find my key

That morning, a woman couldn't find her keys. The delay made her late for work. She never reached her office in the World Trade Center. A few lost minutes saved her life.

2. I missed my metro

He missed his train that morning. Just a few minutes behind schedule, he never made it to the towers before the attacks. A small delay saved his life.

3. I wanna drink coffee

She left the building for a cup of coffee. Minutes later, the attacks began. A routine morning habit became the reason she survived.

Small moments changed entire lives.

Perhaps some things happen for a reason, even when we do not understand why.