9.11 NYC End of the world as we know it

It is hard for me to put into words my experience on this last trip to NYC. The beginning of the trip was typical...my friend, Jimmy and I running to and from Soho, the West Village, museums, resturants, the subways and pounding lots and lots of NYC pavement. It was on the day of my departure, 9.11.2001 in which the world as we knew it would end. I awoke to the phone ringing frantically and as I picked it up I could hear Jimmy yelling on the other end that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. Here he stood in the middle of chaos, ... (more)

9.11 Midnight WTC

9.11-Midnight Brooklyn Bridge and WTC

9.11 World Trade Center

9.12 Brooklyn Bridge and smoke from WTC
Where I am, I don't know, I'll never know, in the silence you...

R.I.P
In the practice of tolerance, one's enemy is the best teacher....

WTC RIP 9.11.01

Washington Square Candlelight Memorial
For one human being to love another: that is perhaps the most...

Washington Square Canvas
To laugh is to risk appearing the fool. To weep is to risk appearing...

A family's dedication
The absolute value of love makes life worth while, and so makes Man's...

Washington Square Memorial
Do not save your loving speeches for your friends till they are gone; Do not...

Washington Sqaure Candles
How far that little candle throws his beam! So shines a good deed in a...

Union Square candlelight memorial
I am seeking, I am striving, I am in it with all my heart. ~Vincent Van Gough

God Bless America and Her Fallen Heros
It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human...

Union Square Monument
Never let your head hang down. Never give up and sit down and grieve. Find...

A child's wish
If it were not for hopes, the heart would break. ~Thomas Fuller, M.D.~

Hugs, No Purchase necessary
The whole idea of compassion is based on a keen awareness of the...

Union Square Memorial
Compassion and non-violence help us to see the enemy's point of view, to...

Singing songs of hope
The word which God has written on the brow of every man is Hope. ~Victor Hugo~

Hope Rising
There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so...

Wall of Hope
We must accept finite dissapointment, but we must never lose infinte hope....

St. Patrick's Memorial Mass
The quality of mercy is not strained; It droppeth as the gentle rain...

Car near "ground zero"
If your scared, just holler and you'll find it ain't so lonesome out...

Firehouse 14
The courage of life is often a less dramatic spectacle than the courage of a...

Fireman's boots
You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you...

Ground Zero
What is to give light must endure burning. ~Viktor Frankl

Our flag was still there
Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free...

In Honor
Having chosen our course, without guile and with pure purpose, let us...

Stand up, Beautiful NYC
We must strengthen, defend, preserve, and comfort each other. We must...

The New World Trade Center

article published 09/24/2001

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i think the pictures tell it all but even thoe it happened we must be strong and ALWAYS remember thoes who were lost they will live on in my heart and the heart of all americans here and abrod
— doug tosser, March 25, 2006

wow
great pictures... i remember that day so clear... i was crying so much because my sisters brother inlaw was trapped in there, he came out alive and he rescued a man, he was on the news and everything. i thought we were all goin to die that day as i watched it on the news..
— liddle me!, June 30, 2004

excellent work, we will rebuild!
Great job with the pictures, I wish I could've visited NYC sooner, but I made my first visit ever a few weeks ago and was devestated...I have to say that the last picture is my favorite, I think we should build at least one building close to the same height as the WTC, to prove we are not afraid.
— Jennifer Wright, September 6, 2002

Wow, Char - you never told me you were a writer too. Thank you for putting this on here for everyone to experience. You're the best!
— Barbara Fernandez, August 11, 2002

As exceptional as the people of NYC became at the time of this horrible act and some months after, I am sad to say that they have returned to many if not all of their less pleasant ways.
— Tyler, June 27, 2002

Wow
Char- These are great new photos! I love the candle.

I have to add a different kind of quote. I'm listening to a live concert now (on cd) by Brian Wilson, genius/fragile flower of the Beach Boys. Seems apropos, from "Live at the Roxy" (2000):

"I was sitting in my room when the news came on TV... A lot of people out there hurting and it really scares me. Love and Mercy, that's what you need tonight. So, Love and Mercy to you and your friends tonight...."
— Michael Fenichel, September 29, 2001

Tears came to my eyes...
as I read your article Char. It brought me back to that terrible day when we were all glued to the television, sickened, yet too shocked and horrified to look away. I thank you for this article because not only did it allow me to revisit my emotions from that horrendous day--emotions that none of us can or should forget-- but it also gave me a clearer picture of the awesome strength and perserverance of the New York people.
— Laura Wickwire, September 28, 2001

Well Done!
This is a beautiful tribute! I especially loved the quotes that seem to fit the occasion so perfectly, and the photos that were taken of the people at the candlelight vigils. It makes it more personal to see something new... something that hasn't been over-broadcast on TV. Your account brought tears to my eyes yet again.
— Kathy Myers, September 27, 2001

beautifully written
Thanks Char, for sharing your experience with the rest of us. Unbelievable that you were there at the time it happened. We glad you are home safely now.
— Sylvia Tate, September 27, 2001

Great images and tribute
You've got some great images and a moving tribute. (I'm here in NYC too, struggling with the trauma in myself and others.) Nice collection!
— Michael Fenichel, September 27, 2001

Char, you could not be more precise when expressing your feelings about the people of New York. This is a message from your friend who dragged you out to New York days before our nation's attack. Now, as we move ahead on separate sides of the country, I will continue to spread the word about the courage of our heros (the people of New York and Washington), and how they have given this nation a unified spirit, which is being felt throughout the world.
— Demetrios Kadenas, September 24, 2001

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