I am constantly amazed by the resilience of the human spirit. Life happens. Disasters happen. Bad things happen to good people. And we bounce back. We help one another. Life goes on.
World Trade Center Site in New York City
Recently I made my first visit to the World Trade Center site in New York City. The first time I saw it was at rush hour on a weekday. As I approached the site, near the WTC transit station, I began to feel a lump in my throat. I slowed my pace, and felt, and watched.
The events of that day on September 11, 2001 came rushing back in my mind's eye. My eyes teared up.
I sent my silent prayers to all those who lost their lives, all those who lost loved ones, and all those who experienced that day, in some profound way.
I walked around the temporary information and memorial site above the subway entrance. I was the lone visitor in the darkness. Descriptions and a timeline of that day. 3,000 names on a wall. Pictures of the memorial to be built. Looking through holes in the fencing at the construction underway and the massive holes in the ground where the towers stood, and that will hold reverse reflecting pools.
Resilience and Reverence
I watched people rushing to catch the subway, heading home to loved ones, seemingly oblivious to the nearness of the site and all that happened there only 6 1/2 years ago. The word that came to mind was Resilience.
A horrific event happened here. But life must go on. People do what they need to do. I'm sure it is never far from their thoughts, but why dwell on it?
The next day I was there during lunch hour. The memorial area was full of visitors, all appearing reverent. Many listened, spell-bound, to a man showing pictures and describing what happened. Visitors attempting, in their own way, to feel and imagine what it must have been like. And adding their own silent prayers.
I was working for a week in a building less than a block from the
site. The last day I stood looking out the window at the site, past a
building being constructed, and one newly reconstructed. Remnants and
reminders.
I asked an associate who was in the building when the towers fell what it was like that day. Her eyes were sad and reflective as she thought back. It was horrible. And she is full of gratitude.
I cannot even begin to imagine ...
And what of all those who, selflessly, rushed to help, not even thinking they might not return.
Survivor's Staircase
Last Sunday, March 9, the preserved staircase that brought so many to safety, and the last physical piece from that day still in the same place on the site, was ceremoniously moved to another location, so it could later be incorporated into the final memorial.
Turns out I was only feet from it as I walked by the site the previous week, but could not see it due to the fencing. But knowing I was so close felt special.
We Never Forget
Reverence. Resilience. The human spirit goes on. We always pick ourselves up again. We feel gratitude for what we have. And we never forget.
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