Solemn Hope

Since hearing the news about the killing of Osama bin Laden, I had this urge to go down to visit ground zero. Sunday and Monday evenings had mass gatherings of those reflecting on the last 10 years as well coming together once again for unity purposes. I really wanted to go down, so I went last night. There were no mass gatherings and honestly I believe I benefitted from the silence. Down at ground zero are posters of fallen ones, flowers, balloons, American flags, newspaper clippings and the most moving--THANK YOUs...to the US military, Intel, first responders, presidents. No one was trying to politicize it...but an outpouring of love and appreciation. The last time I saw posters of those who perished on 9/11 was back in November 2001. It was my first visit back to NYC since the horrible tragedy...I took the train home and Penn Station and Grand Central Station turned into a makeshift headquarters of billboards of people looking for those lost loved ones. I remember I almost could not continue to walk that day. Last night was completely different.

I met two interesting people--first a lady who brought her daughter who stood there, prayed and said 'sometimes if you have the urge to do something, you have to do it, i had to come here tonight'. I shared the same sentiments. She was moved by the outpouring of love along the fence at the construction site. Second was a tourist from Kansas...I found out later that he's originally from Tanzania. He was overwhelmed by the site and the destruction that occurred but was more impressed by the NY spirit to rebuild.

Finally I had time for my own reflection. I stood in the street in front of the entrance of where the two towers once stood. It brought me back to the summer of 1999. I spent the entire summer taking classes on the 50 something floor of Tower 1 in the World Trade Center. I envision the Krispy Kreme donuts and the Borders book store...I remember having breakfast every morning before class--seeing all of NYC and being on top of the brooklyn bridge. The views of NYC from inside the WTC were simply breathtaking. I took a class on NYC history that summer as well as an internship. I learned in that class that where the WTC stood, was not originally part of Manhattan island but was landfill to extend the island. I can remember that view as if it was yesterday. On my way back to my vehicle, I passed by St. Paul's church--one of the oldest churches in the city and the site where many first responders sought refuge to take a nap or eat during the aftermath of 9/11. Then I saw the cross beams that now is on the side of St. Peter's Catholic church. Those cross beams stood as a sign of hope for the first responders.

I left happy that I went on a night where it was pretty much calm. There were a lot of news trucks and beefed up security in preparation for President Obama's visit to be held tomorrow. I benefited from that calm knowing that while there was so much death and destruction and loss on 9/11...but 10 years later there is a sense of rebuilding, moving ahead with a hope of a stronger sense of American spirit and knowing that God is looking over our great American city.