Moments permanently etched into memory ...
On September 11, 2001, I'd just returned to work after visiting New York for the weekend. My mother had moved to the East Coast to live with my husband and I (a big change for a newlywed couple), and our son, who'd not yet been conceived, would be born the following year. I lived in a bubble that included only my family and closest friends.
The world was "out there."
You see, I'd never known the kind of terror and loss of personal security that resulted from the attacks of 9/11. The kind of terror that so many people in other parts of the world have experienced in their day-to-day lives at the hands of terrorists. But that changed. After the events of that morning, I'd never, again, watch the news feeling disconnected from the rest of the world, because the bubble I'd lived in was an illusion. I was the people living abroad; they were me.
Geography was all that separated us.
I recently had the opportunity to visit the 9/11 Memorial to pay my respects, and came away feeling inspired by our country's resilience in the face of tragedy. I felt hope and optimism for the future. The 9/11 Memorial, with it's wooded grounds and two reflecting pools, is a sight quite different from the one I'd seen several years earlier, when I'd laced my fingers through a chain-link fence and gaped in disbelief at the wound in the ground. I remembered ... the deafening sound of bulldozers moving earth ... an enormous American flag whose corners furled in the wind as it draped to the side of a nearby building ... my husband down on one knee next to me, praying.
So many questions and fears have plagued me since the events of that day. The biggest and most important being, how to raise a son who understands what happened without compromising his innocence, compassion and tolerance?
Today, on this eleventh anniversary, my thoughts and prayers go out to all the souls who lost their lives and to the families and friends who continue to love them.
I've been forever changed and will never forget.
A lovely tribute.
ReplyDeleteGracias, Amiga.
DeleteBeautiful - thank you so much for this.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Lisa. Hard to find the words. Loved your post.
Deletethank you for sharing this with us Ezzy.
ReplyDeleteDe nada, Sofia. :-)
Delete"So many questions and fears have plagued me since the events of that day. The biggest and most important being, how to raise a son who understands what happened without compromising his innocence, compassion and tolerance?"
ReplyDeleteAs long as everyone thinks this way then we as a nation, as a people, will survive and overcome. Our history is in compassion, in the pursuit of our ideals and dreams for everyone to reach no matter who they are or where they came from. Happily the events of 9/11 strengthened the resolve of the American people- we mourn, we remember, but we band together and carry on. That is who we are and what we stand for.
I'm sure you'll explain it well. Your son will feel your emotion and understand- as best as anyone can, the events of that day. Yes, we are forever changed and will never forget, but life goes on, and we should let it.
BB2U
You're absolutely right, BB.
DeleteWhat a beautiful post Ezzy. Thanks for sharing your memories with us. 9/11 is forever etched in my memory also.
ReplyDeleteGracias, Amiga.
DeleteI think one of the reasons I stay away from visiting is my emotional attachment to all those who were publicly shown over the years that lost their lives. Every year I silently sit and cry as i watch video after video. I remember being just a high school senior watching the attack from school CONFUSED. One video that stays with me is the call with Kevin Cosgrove he was on the phone speaking with ER and then it all went down. I cry because these people were so scared so innocent. I have no idea how to even begin explaining this to my own kids. The day will come and I too will never forget.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your feelings, Amiga. I would encourage you to go when you're ready. The grounds are so, so peaceful and the cascading falls literally take your breath away. I didn't cry, there. The hardest for me was seeing the alter at St. Paul's across the street, where there are hundreds of small photographs that loved ones had left of their missing family and friends. Sending you un big abrazo.
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