Eight Years Later

I was going to wait until later in the week to write about September 11, 2001. But a note from Chatty Crone and the fact that it's been in my thoughts so much the last few days pushed up my schedule.

This is the email I sent to family and friends a week later. It shares my feelings better than anything I could write now to describe that awful time.

9/17/01 3:07 PM

Dear Family and Friends,

I am so appreciative of all the messages that I've received over the last
week. I know that many people have tried to call and were unable to get
through or unable to leave messages. Telephone and e-mail have been erratic.
I was unable to get outgoing phone service outside of Manhattan until Friday
and this is the first time that the computer has been at all cooperative for
more than fifteen minutes.This is the message I hoped to send on Wednesday
night.

Tuesday began as the most beautiful late summer day and ended in the most
devastating tragedy. My daily subway ride takes me under the Trade Center. At
what I now know was 8:48 the train conductor announced that the train was
being delayed at 14th Street (five minute from the Trade Center) because of
"a delay." There are always delays. I had a seat, a good book, and for one
morning I wasn't even late. After a few minutes (impatient New Yorker that I
am) I switched to the express train, which goes along a somewhat different
route and emerging at Wall Street (by the Stock Exchange) I found that the
most beautiful late summer day had turned into hell. Papers and ashes flew
everywhere. The Stock Exchange is three blocks from my office and the Trade
Center is eight blocks. I ran to the office and after watching the sky turn
black twice, my colleagues and I were evacuated into a thick swirl of choking
smoke and ash. I was so fortunate to be surrounded by wonderful co-workers
during the long morning and the trek away from downtown. Somehow I made the
walk uptown and home, with not even a blister. I pray that everyone's story
would have ended as well as mine. Heartbreakingly, we know that is not the
reality.

Thank you. Thank you for your calls, your e-mail, your prayers, your thoughts
and well wishes. Please know that we are persevering. Please, know, too, how
profoundly grateful I am for your encouragement and affection.

With love and prayers for peace

From the perspective of 2009 I continue to thank all of you around the country who prayed for us,

and sent assistance to New York. You will always have my gratitude for all it meant to us in the days 

and weeks following September 11.