Yep, it's been a decade....
And, I am sick and tired of the coverage that I have been avoiding for the last 2 months. That I am avoiding today. I am a New Yorker and remember that day every time I walk in Manhattan, when I see a fire truck or when I notice that hole in the skyline. I remember talking to mother on the phone and learning that my father was, in fact, somewhere in the sky heading towards to DC to take a meeting at the Pentagon. It was hours before the news that my father was safely landed in NC and headed back to AL in a car full of strangers - united for that one day trying to get back home to loved ones. I remember seeing a plane in the sky for the first time after that day and breaking down in my car at the sight. How freeing that moment was...how frightening at the same time - knowing that our Nation would never be the same. A few years after, my father - who works with drones - was possibly headed overseas with a kevlar vest in hand. I headed to AL to see him, and thankfully, the General did not want him to go - that he was to stay stateside.
I also remember seeing all the Missing posters plastered all over Manhattan. How helpless I felt. I hate that the site where many died is televised and treated like a tourist attraction on this day. I remember the stench of the burning metal, paper, flesh. I remember watching a group of tourists take a group photo in front of a still smoldering pile of metal. Yes, a group photo, smiling for the camera. How I wanted to yell at them and shake them...HOW DARE THEY?! I instruct all my guests that if they want to go down there, that's fine - just do me a favor NEVER give the time of day to the street vendors that hawk the 9/11 wares like they are purses. I once yelled at one of the Asian guys who walked up to me and my guests to show us a picture book.
I also remember the kindness of strangers. Of the man who gave me a note after he heard me crying on the phone to my mother after seeing the smoldering ashes of 2 huge buildings. His note simply said that everything would be okay and signed it "A Fellow Commuter". How people came together to get through this day and the weeks/months/years after.
On a happy note, I also remember apartment sitting for a friend in the LES and taking a walk and seeing the towers pop up as if in a Pop-Up book as I turned a corner. Thinking to myself, I should go to the top of the towers and see the City from that vantage point....only to decide not to and saying to myself, "I'll go another time, they'll always be there". That was only a week or so before 9/11/2001. I also remember how the weekend before that happened - it was such a gorgeous weekend and spending time with my Cousin and his Mother (who was up from DE). We had such a perfect NY weekend - full of unplanned excitement. I never really loved those buildings like I did the Empire State or Chrysler; but they were a part of my beloved City's Skyline. A City that I love with all my heart - a City I am not sure I could ever leave without feeling a knot in my stomach.
It's time to rebuild - and from what I understand - the rebuilding has started. I haven't been to the WTC in some time...and will probably make a trip there soon just to see for myself. But only after the hoopla has died down. I don't agree with the building they are putting up. I think they should've put an even taller building there. Hell, they should put two buildings 110 stories each with an even taller building betwixt the two....as if to give the middle finger to the world and say, "FUCK YOU TERRORISTS! YOU CANNOT WIN!!!!"
I will always remember, because after all, I am a New Yorker. It's with me everywhere I go, every day. It's with me as my husband, who is a Navy Reservist, heads into Boot Camp and begins 7 months of being torn down and built back up - even stronger and better than he is already. It's with me, having a Father who is Retired Army who still works as a Civilian with the Army. It's with me because I cannot forget. Nor, do I want to.
I also remember seeing all the Missing posters plastered all over Manhattan. How helpless I felt. I hate that the site where many died is televised and treated like a tourist attraction on this day. I remember the stench of the burning metal, paper, flesh. I remember watching a group of tourists take a group photo in front of a still smoldering pile of metal. Yes, a group photo, smiling for the camera. How I wanted to yell at them and shake them...HOW DARE THEY?! I instruct all my guests that if they want to go down there, that's fine - just do me a favor NEVER give the time of day to the street vendors that hawk the 9/11 wares like they are purses. I once yelled at one of the Asian guys who walked up to me and my guests to show us a picture book.
I also remember the kindness of strangers. Of the man who gave me a note after he heard me crying on the phone to my mother after seeing the smoldering ashes of 2 huge buildings. His note simply said that everything would be okay and signed it "A Fellow Commuter". How people came together to get through this day and the weeks/months/years after.
On a happy note, I also remember apartment sitting for a friend in the LES and taking a walk and seeing the towers pop up as if in a Pop-Up book as I turned a corner. Thinking to myself, I should go to the top of the towers and see the City from that vantage point....only to decide not to and saying to myself, "I'll go another time, they'll always be there". That was only a week or so before 9/11/2001. I also remember how the weekend before that happened - it was such a gorgeous weekend and spending time with my Cousin and his Mother (who was up from DE). We had such a perfect NY weekend - full of unplanned excitement. I never really loved those buildings like I did the Empire State or Chrysler; but they were a part of my beloved City's Skyline. A City that I love with all my heart - a City I am not sure I could ever leave without feeling a knot in my stomach.
It's time to rebuild - and from what I understand - the rebuilding has started. I haven't been to the WTC in some time...and will probably make a trip there soon just to see for myself. But only after the hoopla has died down. I don't agree with the building they are putting up. I think they should've put an even taller building there. Hell, they should put two buildings 110 stories each with an even taller building betwixt the two....as if to give the middle finger to the world and say, "FUCK YOU TERRORISTS! YOU CANNOT WIN!!!!"
I will always remember, because after all, I am a New Yorker. It's with me everywhere I go, every day. It's with me as my husband, who is a Navy Reservist, heads into Boot Camp and begins 7 months of being torn down and built back up - even stronger and better than he is already. It's with me, having a Father who is Retired Army who still works as a Civilian with the Army. It's with me because I cannot forget. Nor, do I want to.