I get ready for work with the news on. Today was no exception. What I heard today made me proud to be an American. The new World Trade Center stands erect, at 1250 feet. Not quite finished yet, but the steel frames are up- the windows are installed- and it is slowly nearing completion. The estimate is it will take another year to complete. Images WTC Construction
My eyes welled up with tears when I heard that two of the construction foremen witnessed the destruction of the World Trade Center. They explained how proud they are to be working on the new Tower.
I can't forget that catastrophic day. I kept thinking, how could this be happening? The sky was so blue, contrasted by a sinister black cloud of smoke; as America witnessed the destruction of these landmark buildings.' I remember thinking this was worse than any disaster movie, a bottomless sense of evil.
So many unsuspecting people, lost amid the dust and debris; fireman, police men, their dogs, scrambling to rescue - and finally identify - the last morsels of life.
New York City has always been my favorite city. I associate it with the arts, culture, finest restaurants, most posh hotels.
After 9/11, all that changed. The city took on a grey color. That happy feeling I used to get when thinking of New York never came back. It lost its' glamour. All I could think of, was that sad moment in history. Something you can't ever forget. Something you never wanted to witness in a lifetime.
Seeing the new building go up gives me a renewed sense of hope. I am starting to get that good feeling back about the city. I am now letting myself think about all things New York that I love.
The theaters, museums, shopping, fine restaurants, the brisk pace of walking down 5th Avenue, the Macy's Parade.
I know I will never forget what happened. I don't think I want to forget.
To begin to heal is a welcomed feeling. I can now watch the new World Trade Center during the year, with
hope.
Looking at the clear, blue sky again shining on the new Tower is a promising beginning.
