LisaBinDaCity

On September 11th, 2001, I thought the world was ending. Now, five years later, we’re still doing things. Now I feel more vulnerable, more skittish, but I’m also more convinced than ever that there’s no such thing as a true ending. Life is like the last page of a storybook, when the grownup reads the words “The End” and the kid under the covers says, “So then what happened?”

And damn, I hope that’s true, because sometimes, believing that eventually, even decades later, one might achieve closure and security someday, is the only thing that separates me from despair.

Well, that was a lot more bellybutton gazing than I meant to engage in, on a Saturday morning. Think I’ll have another coffee.

We were an hour away from NYC on 9-11 in NJ, at my mother-in-laws retirement village. She had passed away the night before. I remember the day started out beautifully– the most gorgeous clear blue sky— then suddenly we heard what we thought was very close to ground type thunder. People ran out on their balconies, including myself, to see if a storm was rolling in. It was still bright and sunny, no clouds in the sky. Then my husband came back with the news he’d just heard on the car radio. We were affixed to the TV all week since the roads were blocked, airports closed, and we couldn’t leave anyway. We learned too, that what we thought was thunder that awful morning was actually the boom of the 1st plane hitting the tower. I’ll post a link to my memoirs on my site, but end here by saying that you are so right about goodbyes. For us, we were saying goodbye to a dear loved one, plus thousands we didn’t know, and a way of life that has forever changed. And we repeat the process every year. I close my eyes and can still hear that thunderous boom. But so many who were there to see… I can only imagine their pain! Sorry for the long comment but your post spoke to my heart. ((Hugs)) to you!!

As you know, I also wrote about the subject today. It’s ingrained into my head forever. I can only imagine how people in NY, like you and Deni, have got to feel.

I cried for days. I didn’t know anyone that died that day, either in NYC or DC(a family friend works at the Pentagon, but was not there that day, thankfully), but I felt like every member of my family had just died. And like Denny, it’s a day that I will never, ever forget. My heart goes out to everyone that lost family and/or friends. Peace be with you all…

What I remember most is the silence that followed that day, like the universe went into mourning.

I was re-reading “Forever” by Pete Hamill last night, which has an amazing description of 9/11. And suddenly the memories came pouring back: the planes hitting the building, the awful feeling when I couldn’t call my brother or my uncle in DC or my mom in PA and they couldn’t reach me because the phone lines were down, the way the smoke came over Brooklyn and blotted out that beautiful blue sky, the hours of waiting until I was able to track down all my friends (who all survived, even though four of them were in the immediate vicinity and one was at the base of the South Tower when the second plane hit), and most of all, the smell of all that burning.

Consider yourself told as well, Lisa.

We have a tradition in my immediate family to tell our loved ones we love them before embarking on a trip. And I’ve always felt the greatest sin is in NOT saying I Love You. Luckily I didn’t lose anybody that day but I had several young ones close to the action. And those hours of not knowing made me try to remember the last time I said that. So although I don’t know you well enough to say that to you, I do value your friendship. I know we’ll get to meet on one of my trips up there.

Thank you all for your honesty and beautiful thoughts.

I didn’t live in NY during 9/11, but remember watching in horror from L.A. as the events unfolded. I also was very concerned about my friends who thankfully were ok. I know other people who were not so lucky.

Since I have lived in NY, I find September 11th to be very unnerving. The day feels like it should be a normal day, but it’s quite obviously not. I have seen a lot of pain that is so tangible you can almost reach out and touch it.

I remember visiting NY in October 2001 and going down to Ground Zero. The remains of the towers were still standing then, and viewing them up close was one of the worst things I have ever seen. I just stood there quietly and cried. People around me were taking pictures but I couldn’t. I knew I would never forget. I remember seeing a police officer with despair in his face protecting the area. He and I exchanged a long look and we both nodded at each other afterwards. He knew I understood.

I love my adopted city. New Yorkers are simply amazing people.

That day still haunts me, and I was nowhere near NYC.

God Bless all those who lost their lives, and all those who worked so hard at ground zero and are now suffering the health effects from it.

Love ya, Lisa ((((hugs))))

In speaking with my newly-made friends that have lived here all their lives, I gained a new perspective and insight into 9/11. From a distance, the rest of the country watched and mourned… but those that were literally staring it down in the harsh light of reality have such a deeper set of emotions surrounding this anniversary. The mini-series, the movie… they refuse to see them because the memories are still too close. Too vivid. They lost loved ones. Lived the nightmare. And I am humbled.

Sentiments returned, Lisa.

I lost my godmother that day.

A bunch of my fathers friends and former colleagues perished.

There is a hole in my heart that can never be replaced…first from the personal loss and second, the gaping hole in the horizon where the towers stood. I am a born and raised NYC girl through and through. New York will always be my home, my haven and my world.

I did a tribute to one of the victims of that day. It’s on my page now. Someone else got my godmother. I hope they do hers proud.

Blow a kiss to the NYC skyline for me, Lisa…please.

Tell them I am thinking of them with the warmest wishes.

CP.

The horror of it all is still incomprehensible: People jumping to their deaths, handicapped people being made to wait off to the side of the stairs and dying, etc.

Capturing bin Laden won’t bring them back but it is still too bad that he runs around free.

Everyone who hands him a cup of coffee has to pass the $25-million test–I guess that is some cold comfort.

Hi Lisa: I was very moved by this post. I was with the ABC Radio Networks in Texas that day and my Engineer knew Darren Bohan who was 33 and married. His office was located near the top floors of Tower 2. A good looking guy, we taped his photo to our Engineer’s door frame and it remained there until the final day when clean up and rescue efforts had been completed. It makes me quite sad to recall him quietly taking down the photo with his emotions in check. As painful as that was for all of us in the office who never knew this man, I am grateful I can feel anything at all and I’ll be thinking of you and Deni and other friends of mine in that wonderful city. lol!

Though I didn’t suffer a personal loss that day and cannot even begin to imagine what people who did and who experienced it up close must feel like, I can imagine you feel like that. Even from Europe we remember all those people.

I am sure it won’t be an easy day for many. I wish you strength and have respect for you all.

I have been searching for a way this weekend to delicately explain the impotance of the event to my third graders. I debated about not teaching about it at all, but somehow that doesnt feel right either. I think I’m going to tie in to doing good deeds for others.

I remember feeling numb for days afterward from sheer outrage. I’m just thankful I didn’t know anyone personally. My heartfelt condolences to those that did.

Consider yourself told too, Lisa. Big hugs sweetie!

Peace to you, too, Lisa. It’s a hard day to relive.

And bless you as well.

xoxo today. Heck, every day for you, dear.

*hugs*

I’ve become a lot more prone to say “I love you” to family and friends….. you just never know. Especially Fire/Police/EMS…..

In case I haven’t let you know recently, you mean a lot to me, my friend.

Love ya girl!

Amen.

Very beautiful. Well said and very tasteful as always.

I can hardly believe another year has come and gone, leaving us with all the same questions and too few answers. Kisses.

Very moving and thoughtful post, Lisa.

saying goodbye is tough, but it’s worse, I think, when you don’t get a chance to…

Somehow, I had forgotten how worried I was at the time for my sister who is a flight attendant for a major airline, one that was involved in the disaster. What a relief it was to find out late that day that she wasn’t on any of the planes.

Sending hugs!

And peace to you and yours, Lisa. Tomorrow is going to be extra weird because the anniversary is on a Tuesday, just as 9/11/01. Tuesdays certainly have never been the same…

such a sad time, will remember it forever though, will always change nyc and the people living here

Thanks LisaB. Its hard to believe that horrific event happened in 2001… seems just like yesterday I was watching the live footage on TV.

Thank you so much for posting that, Lisa

Same-o same-o to you, kid. Keep the home fires burning.

Wow. Touching.

Yeah, 9/11 is very hard for me. We thought my aunt had died up until midnight, when she finally called me to let me know she was OK. I think it’s important to remember that life goes on. That’s what makes us New Yorkers, isn’t it? =+)

The Robert Anderson quote is so true … so relevant.

Well put…I have nothing to add

We each have a story to tell. And what binds each of us is that A.) Life is precious, B) Life is short, C) We all have dreams. My own family was reeling from three deaths in succession in 2000: my Father, Cousin and an Aunt. When New Years Eve 2002 came, my oldest brother in a shaky voice left a voice mail for me expressing how relieved we were to take a small step forward. Beautifully captured Lisa,

I made my TITMT question today about 9/11. It just seemed appropriate, considering it fell on the date, too. Even the words you wrote last year will echo for many years to come.

You are an amazing woman. You should know that you mean a lot to many others as well.

A most thoughtful post Lisa.

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