Thoughts on the 20th Anniversary of September 11

This is a little different from what I usually post here. Thanks for indulging me.

Tribute in Light

Tribute in Light (2006)

Tomorrow is the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on 9/11. For me, much of 9/11 is about what happened in NYC, as I was on Long Island that day starting graduate school. The day was terrifying, sad and surreal, and the attacks defined some aspects my 15 years on the east coast. To this day I can’t see images of the twin towers without being at least a little bit startled (I’m looking at you, Friends reruns.)

When the planes hit the World Trade Center, on such a beautiful blue sky morning, it threw everything into chaos. After I was told what had happened—at first disbelieving such a crazy story—I turned on the radio in my studio and heard the announcer say, “It’s World War Three out there!” (The threat of WWIII and nuclear armageddon was a legitimate concern for my generation, so a statement like was pretty awful to hear.) We learned more as the day went on, and were horrified. My household gathered together that evening with another household nearby and we stayed up past midnight watching the news, regularly switching from ABC to BBC to PBS. It was exhausting and sad; it was hard to sleep. People could not go back in the city for a few days (many students and faculty lived in NYC), so we housed some friends who were stranded.

table-spoon

The next morning my housemate Dean made us all coffee using this spoon to measure the beans for grinding. I have kept this spoon all these years, and whenever I use it I am taken back to that time, and often memories of those strange days around 9/11 rise up. This spoon has a lot of sentimental value, and I love using it to measure coffee from any one of my favorite Portland roasters (e.g., Extracto, Heart, Stumptown). It’s interesting how these two worlds have connected through this small object.

When I lived in NY, on this day each year I would watch the names being spoken aloud, the bells rung, witnessing the families with their grief for loved ones who were taken that day. Part of me can hardly believe 20 years have passed. All week I’ve spent time remembering and reflecting on the events of that day. And this weekend, I’ll spend time in the present, doing things that are evidence of the joy of life as it is today.

One of the most distinct memories I have from all those years ago is actually from August 8, 2001, at the end of our cross-country road trip from CA to NY. Crossing the George Washington Bridge (from NJ to NY) and looking south toward the twin towers my mother asked, “Have you ever been to the top of the World Trade Center?” I replied, “No, but I’ll have plenty of time to do that.” In the end, I didn’t.

I honor those who we loved and lost that day, and wish their survivors good health and continued healing.