As a native New Yorker and witness to the horrific events of 9/11, the first 48 hours here in NYC before 9/11 changes. It is an energy I have never known NYC to have. The hustle and bustle still flourishes but it is a sad energy, anxiety, anger , tension, it is solemn. We all look at each other differently..we remember without speaking, the pedestrian, the food vendor, the transit worker...we all feel it. Some of us still cry in the street, some of us still come up to those who are crying...we don't have to know each other ..we still care.
As the "Beaming Towers" stretch to the sky every night from the WTC location. They seem to shine a little brighter and stronger the days before 9/11. It is as if the souls of the departed are present and let us know we are here, those of us who believe in God they say "We are ok..do not fret God is taking care of everything"
To me ,The Twin Towers were the most beautiful buildings of NYC. they were a big part of the navigational lessons my mom taught me to help me get around the city on my own. They were the first structure I would looked for whenever I went out of town ..the moment I saw them, I knew I was home again. Call me biased but the Towers 'made " the skyline of NYC famous..no other city skyline looked like ours.
To know that day I would not be here to tell the tale, because GRACE would have it that I had a job interview in Queens and didn't have to go to an interview in the South Tower shakes my soul, to watch from the 59th street bridge in helpless horror as the city shut down, chaos in the streets and only the sound of walkie talkie, sirens, radios talking about the Pentagon attacks and the roar of military planes overheard. How I fell to my knees in sheer grief as the towers tumbled.
But to witness the unified front to SURVIVE & Stay Alive is something I am most proud of. How everyone helped each other..the rich, the poor and all in between. For the animals owned and abandoned who received extra special care. How every store opened its doors to feed the hungry and every hotel lobby became a rest stop for the sick, weary and shaken and a contact point to call loved ones far away..
How buses,trucks and even limos became free cabs to anyone who needed a ride home. My heart filled with pride for the human spirit as I walked barefoot through 3 boroughs and two bridges to the Bronx to get home to my babies, praying every step of the way.NYC became New York United. I didn't even intend to write all this, if at all but I am glad I did. I wanted to share this with you as I know so many of us have been affected. feel free to post a comment or a moment you experience in honor of 9/11. We will never forget;-)
Peace and Blessings, Andrea
