Saturday, February 2, 2008

Ground Zero

Century 21 is in the heart of the financial district of NYC. Its the last stop on the subway (E), in case anyone else wants to go. 

Across the street from the shopping frenzy is Ground Zero. 

My mom and I took some time to look at the pictures and reflect on the occurrences. Its pretty sobering to be in the midst of life and then just stop and think about the impact that one day has had on our nation (both profound and none at all). 

I remember coming back from cheerleading practice and watching the news while stretching. I actually saw the second plane fly into the tower. It was so surreal. The first thing I did was call my dad. I thought he would be able to tell me exactly what was going on and what to do about it. He was comforting, but probably just as confused as I was. 

What do you think we have learned from this? 
What did you take away from it? 
Where do you think we are now? 

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure what "we" learned; nothing, it seems at times. But I still tear up when I recall that morning. I hate it when they rerun the clips; I get sick to my stomach. It was such a beautiful morning. I was home waiting to take my 2-year-old daughter to morning school. She was watching "Clifford the Big Red Dog" on PBS. My wife's mom called from Florida to ask what was going on - she had seen something on TV about a plane hitting the trade towers. In the bliss of Clifford, I was clueless. I switched channels and there it was in front of me on ABC. I grew up in Queens, near a high point with a view of the Manhattan skyline. I watched those towers go up in the early 1970's. We went to the construction site as a middle school class, and I went several other times. I had friends who worked near there - how to get in touch (none were physically harmed)? I can't really describe what I felt - it was like a personal assault - someone was messing with MY city - WTF????? So much changed that day, but so much remains the same. Unfortunately, the hate goes on. Although it was awful and I grieve for the loss of lives and innocence, I agree with Thomas Friedman who wrote a NYTimes column on 2007 Sept 30 called "9-11 is Over". I'm glad Giuliani is out of the running. We need to stop the hate, move forward, and recover our positive perspective as a people.

Anonymous said...

i was teaching a class of 4 and 5 year olds. My director came and told me there were 11 planes out...unaccounted for, and that two planes had crashed in to the World trade Center...It sounded like it could bethe end of the world.... She asked me if i needed to call anyone. she said she would cover my class for me. I looked at the faces of the little ones who were getting ready for snack and I said, 'I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be right now. " My assistant teacher and i gave out that snack with a calm and peace that i knew came from the Holy Spirit. I saw each child's bright eyes and innocence with a poignant appreciation. We felt like this really could be the end of the world as we knew it and this was a precious moment with these children that we wanted to remember and cherish. I was very grateful for good work to do. Even though i thought about my family and my husband, i knew they were all near friends who loved the Lord and that they would give and recieve the encouragemtn they needed to get through whatever came....I felt god had placed me where he wanted me as well. Both my children came home from college that week end and i remember feeling grateful that I was really living my life the way I wanted to live it at the time. I really feel most at peace when i am completely present in each moment. (does that make sense?)It's funny..turning 50 had a lot of similar feelings.. realizing how quickly life changes and passes. I don't want to live with a lot of "what if's? and "I'll make sure I do that tommorrow"s...
mishna

traci said...

I think this is the first time that I have heard the experience of someone who was from NY and had prior experience. I can't imagine the intensity that was felt by local people.

However, I do agree with George. We need to move on. I read the article and think he has some great points. I'm looking forward to what is next for our country and have hope that we can move from a place of fear, anger, and isolation to a place of hope, compassion, and interconnection.

I also remember my mom telling me the story listed here and being a little upset that she wasn't worried about me first, but then recognizing the beauty in her perspective and the ability she had to comfort and serve the children in her classroom.

Anonymous said...

I wasn't clear in my earlier post and hope nobody misunderstood ... I was NOT in New York on 9-11 ... I was living and watching "Clifford" in Knightdale (just east of Raleigh - been there since 1987) ... my parents do still live in Queens in the house I grew up in - they were there.

traci said...

When I was talking about hearing from someone from there, I was saying more from the being raised there with life experience, not the there at the time it happened.

got it :)