Tribute in Light, September 11, 2018
Every year I dread tomorrow, sometimes more and sometimes, less. For no reason I can discern this year, it's more, even though my morning will follow the usual September 11 pattern. I will make coffee and at 8:46 I will begin to watch the broadcast from Ground Zero and the reading of the names. I will text the friends I shared the day with and at some point I will realize that I'm crying. I will remember the beauty of that September morning and the horror of that morning and the smell of the ash that lingered for months.
I have remembered that day and probably told the story of my day at least several hundred times over the decades. But not unlike Passover -- where the Exodus story has been recounted for thousands of years -- every year I feel that I have an obligation to continue to recount my experiences.
Twenty-one years later there are now friends who do not have actual memories of September 11 and as the years go by the personal record will be recounted fewer and fewer times. For many, "Never Forget" has little meaning. Beginning this year my thought for this day is "Remember," and my role is to tell my story the memories may go on from generation to generation.
From notes I sent my family and friends on Monday, September 17, 2001:
Tuesday began as the most beautiful late summer day and ended in the mostdevastating tragedy. My daily subway ride takes me under the Trade Center. Atwhat I now know was 8:48 the train conductor announced that the train wasbeing 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 onemorning I wasn't even late. After a few minutes (impatient New Yorker that Iam) I switched to the express train, which goes along a somewhat differentroute and emerging at Wall Street (by the Stock Exchange) I found that themost beautiful late summer day had turned into hell. Papers and ashes fleweverywhere. The Stock Exchange is three blocks from my office and the TradeCenter is eight blocks. I ran to the office and after watching the sky turnblack twice, my colleagues and I were evacuated into a thick swirl of chokingsmoke and ash. I was so fortunate to be surrounded by wonderful co-workersduring the long morning and the trek away from downtown. Somehow I made thewalk uptown and home, with not even a blister. I pray that everyone's storywould have ended as well as mine. Heartbreakingly, we know that is not thereality.
As ever, to the memory of those who were killed on that beautiful late summer day, not quite twenty-one years ago. You will always be remembered and may your memories continue to be for blessings.
8 comments
Amen! Even years later, your recollections have the power to make me cry. Like Margaret Banister wrote, Tears are for the living.
I am watching on TV right now. I remember where I was and I will NEVER FORGET that day. Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way my friend!
Beautiful. I still remember
I think it is important to share the memories so that the young people of today will know what happened on that day. We should always remember and never forget that day. May God Bless America!
Thanks for keeping those memories alive. I was teaching 4th graders and I kept getting calls from the office that students' parents were there signing them out to go home. Then teachers who had access to the news started to spread the word as to what was happening but of course I couldn't tell the students. Those left in the class started to wonder outloud why classmates were coming home in such numbers. I can't remember telling those left but I do remember worrying about my daughter who was in high school and my husband. Oldest daughter was working at my school as an aide so we could hug each other. Listening to the news to and from school that day and for the days to come would bring me to tears. Unlike the Oklahoma City bombing where I knew someone who died, I didn't know anyone in 9/11 bombings.
It is so important to keep the memories alive. Thank you for sharing. I had no idea that you were right there in the chaos. It is a day most of us will never forget.
Thank you, Carol, for sharing your memories of that September day. I also vividly recall my own living in NJ. The passage of time will not dim them or what happened.
A day we should never forget!
I can't believe it's been 22 years already.
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