A Brookhaven woman had a reason to smile and even shed a a fewjoyful tears this weekend when she was reunited with her mother inNew York City following last Tuesday’s terrorist attacks.

“When I saw her, I jumped up and ran to her and we hugged andwere all crying,” Elizabeth Ross of Brookhaven said about seeingher mother, Betty Hoffman of New Orleans, for the first time sincethe attacks that resulted in Hoffman’s plane being rerouted toCanada.

Hoffman was returning to the United States Tuesday with hersister Pat Hargis, also of New Orleans, after a vacation trip toLondon when commercial airplanes crashed into the World TradeCenter, the Pentagon and an open field in Pennsylvania.

“When I saw it on TV, I called my sister to see what my mom’sitinerary was, and she was in the air right then,” Ross said. “Igot real scared because I thought the hijackers might take herplane.”

The plane was left unharmed and landed at an airport near NovaScotia with dozens of other rerouted airplanes.

After waiting on the runway for five hours, Hoffman and Hargiswere able to exit the plane and find safety at a Red Cross Centerwith other passengers.

“Then she waited in line for the pay phone, and called us to sayshe was all right and would return home as soon as possible,” Rosssaid.

Ross and her sister, Yvette Runyan, headed to New Yorkimmediately after their mother said she planned to ride aHovercraft to Bar Harbor, Maine on Wednesday, then rent a car anddrive to New York.

“When your mom is stuck somewhere and the United States is beingattacked, you do what you have to do,” Ross said about the morethan 22-hour drive.

The group finally met at a hotel in New York City, and rejoicedfor their safety. They did not rejoice too much, though, becausethey knew many families would not have such a happy ending.

“We decided to go to an area about three blocks from the WorldTrade Center to say a prayer and light a candle for the others,”Ross said.

She and her family members were overcome with emotion as theywalked to the area, passing volunteers, firefighters and policeofficers battling exhaustion and scrambling to find survivors.

“It doesn’t compare to what you see on TV. It’s so much biggerthan that,” Ross commented. “The whole atmosphere made you want tovolunteer to help in any way possible.”

Ross, who is a local nurse, wanted to volunteer, but was toldnurses were no longer needed because the relief effort had alreadybeen flooded by nurses and doctors wanting to help.

The group found out that victims’ families, firefighters andauthorities were in need of other items, though.

“We got some toothbrushes, deodorant and bottled water to theRed Cross site,” she said.

They left New York City Saturday on their way to Brookhaven andwatched in awe as they saw how damaged the city appeared on theoutskirts.

“I had just a tremendous feeling of sadness. We were quiet as weleft the city,” Ross commented.

Ross said she and her family members are counting theirblessings and were glad to return home safely Sunday.