I know exactly where I was the morning of September 11, 2001. It was surreal. New York was a city I’d never visited yet so it felt far away. At the time, I worked in Century City next to our own “Twin Towers.” I worked “East Coast” hours – in by 6:30am. My boss called to tell me not to come in. I ended up at my boss’s home in Santa Monica, watching the tv all morning. Then the Pentagon got hit.
Luckily our East Coast office was safe. But it was horrific for them. They were in a building that overlooked the skyline. They watched the first plane. Then they evac’d.
On this coast, my best friend was working at the tallest building in Downtown LA. She was told not to come in. There was a ton of crazy going on there and in Century City. All tall buildings and heavily populated areas were on alert.
10 years later, The Wife and I traveled to New York City again. We took our BIL and SIL to the 9/11 Memorial Site.
It was so eerie. I don’t really have words to describe what and how I felt, standing there.
So I won’t.
9/11 Memorial Preview Site – Statue of Liberty
9/11 Memorial Site – photo by The Wife
Survivor Tree at 9/11 Memorial Site
9/11 Memorial Site
If you ever find yourself visiting New York, this should be on your list. If you have children, this should be on your list. If you have a heart, this should be on your list.
Beautiful post.
Well said my friend. I was in NYC and used to work right across the street from the Twin Towers. My husband and my MIL were just blocks away. I wrote my own post today but couldn’t even go into all of the thoughts and feelings I had on that day (and still). Lovely post.
The last time I was at ground zero (in 2006) it was very much a construction site. I am looking forward to returning after the museum opens next year. Each year, on 9/11 I pause to remember and give thanks. A day never to be forgotten.
I spent the summer in New York when I was 16. Drove and walked past the towers many times. My heart broke in several different ways that morning, and still aches. It’s so easy to hate and destroy, so much harder to love and build. RIP to all who died, may we all learn and grow from this.
thanks for sharing. it’s so hard to even know what to say…but I just want to thank you for sharing this…and sending you a hug.