Dear New York City,
It has been exactly 10 months since I moved to the banks of the Hudson River from the motherland of Minnesota. Every single morning, afternoon and evening, I look across the water and stare at your beautiful skyline – one of the most beautiful in the world. We are able to walk your streets anytime adventure is calling and you never disappoint. There is always a story to hear, a performance to watch, new food to try.
When we gaze across the river, there are a few things that stand out. The Empire State Building that changes colors each night to help bring awareness to different causes, support different teams and celebrate different groups of people. The Chrysler Building looks like a Christmas Tree with sparkling white lights every night. The towers of midtown reflect the lights from Times Square and change colors instantly. You are breathtaking.
On this day, 13 years ago, you were changed forever. I was in 11th grade Chemistry with Dr. C when I heard the news. The first hour was very confusing and then we were all sent to homeroom to watch the news coverage and we were eventually sent home. Everyone talked about connections they had to you or Washington DC. Everyone knew someone that was supposed to be on an airplane that day. Everyone was afraid.
As I stare at the Freedom Tower in the distance today, I can’t even begin to imagine what it would feel like to be standing in plain sight of the World Trade Center buildings on that day. People that saw things with their own eyes and heard things with their own ears instead of on a news station. The dust, the noises, the sirens, the tears. Those are things we saw on TV, but more importantly, we saw your heroes of all shapes & sizes step up and show so much bravery and kindness.
You are a constant reminder of resilience. People here are strong and proud. There is an energy present, a constant pulse that is so enticing. I’m so grateful to be in a place where I can stare at you every day and be constantly reminded of your strength. Thank you for being an inspiration to me and a reminder that courage and kindness are such important parts of being a good person.
Sincerely,
A NJ girl that has been forever changed by time spent in your lovely city
Take a second today to remember your fellow Americans that lost their lives that day and your fellow Americans who were brave enough to do the right thing and help others. Remember and be grateful today and every day for the soldiers that fight for our freedom. The world can be a scary place – be kind, be brave.
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Beautifully written, Steph!
So beautiful!
Very nice post. Applause. I know I'll never forget that day.
Beautiful!! Thanks for taking the day for it!
Very nice Steph.
I fell in love with NYC when I visited last year! Such a beautiful city with lots of history.
Beautifully written my friend.
this is very elegant, well put.
very well written 🙂 Sometimes I feel as though I can't lay claim to it, for example, your post ends with 'your fellow americans' and, well, I'm not 🙂 I was on the other side of the world when it happened, and had zero connections to America, let alone NYC. It's still horrible and upsetting and I'm not trying to downplay it, only that I feel.. almost like I'm stepping on toes or pretending to be more sad than the people it actually affected, if that makes sense.
Loved this Steph.
Wheres that 2nd photo taken from?
There is a park in Jersey City with that memorial. It's called the Empty Sky memorial in Liberty Park. It's a beautiful riverfront area with beautiful views of the Statue of Liberty and downtown Manhattan.
Wonderfully written post. I live in Manhattan and was here when it all happened and remember walking uptown 80 blocks with ash falling from the sky and others covered in it that were downtown in the area. We never left NYC and never will. It's our home.