Tag Archives: 9/11 memorials

9/11 + 10

We are all here. Some will reflect, others will try to ‘move on’. But we are all here, whether we like it or not. We sit 10 years out from the day that changed EVERYTHING. I try to remember what pre-9/11 felt like and I can only think of how my kids have no reference point. They were too young when it happened to have memories of air travel without taking off their shoes or worrying about liquids in tiny bottles. They have no idea what it was like to live in a world that did not have colored levels of terrorist warnings.

This is their norm. And there is nothing about post 9/11 life that saddens me more.

I keep remembering a class trip being cancelled some time shortly after 9/11 because we were in orange and schools in our area would not cross bridges or tunnels in orange. My son asked me what color level they cancelled class trips for when I was his age. It was hard to explain to him that there were no terror threats when I was young. He simply did not understand this.

It was not his norm.

The photo above was taken by Susan. She usually sends me funny things that she sees. This time she sent me something that moved her. As she said, finally a red cup put to good use. (for those without teenagers, the proverbial red cup is synonymous with teen drinking).

In case you can not read the copy in the photograph I am inserting it here. This is a fabulous interactive piece of art that allows everyone who sees it to take part in its power. If you are in the neighborhood I encourage you to go out of your way to participate in this.

“In observance of the tenth anniversary of 9/11, illegal art has marked each of the 110 floors on the sidewalk with chalk, starting at 5th Avenue and 14th street and heading north for 1, 368 feet (417 meters), the height of the taller of the two towers.

Passersby, like yourself, are encouraged to walk the height of the once standing buildings along 5th Avenue and write any words that express your feeling or experience related to 9/11.

www.illegalart.org

May the threats be idle and may you all heal but never forget the power of hate and the subsequent power of humanity that followed.

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Filed under current events, New York City, news, signage

Time to Cry Tuesday – Enjoy the Moment

This plaque is on a bench on the boardwalk in Long Beach, NY. All along the boardwalk there are benches with dedication plaques. Many of them memorialize those who were lost in 9/11 that grew up in the area. I have sadly come across the name of someone I once knew on one of these benches. Sobering indeed. Yet it makes me think how much of a comfort it must be to the family members to have these in such a special place.

This is up there with one of my most favorite places on earth. I spent much of my childhood on the beaches there, as my grandparents lived walking distance to the beach. Their house had an outdoor shower and there was nothing better after a day spent in the sand and surf than to return to that outdoor shower.

This past weekend I spent both days walking on this board walk. The first day was more of a stroll. A ritual walk with 3 generations of my family. One that we have done hundreds of times, in all seasons. It is our ‘place’. It is Home with a cap H. It is the place where each and every one of us feels like we belong.

Not bad right?

So yes, I surely did enjoy the moment.

Here are a few more favorite shots to give you a feel for the place.

There is a special bike lane which makes it a great place to ride.

It is not uncommon to see flowers on the memorial benches.

Hands down the sweetest sight of the day, this couple was quite elderly and extremely slow-moving, but you could tell that they take this walk every day and probably have been for many years.

Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at 50-Something Moms Blog. For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone.

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Filed under Time to Cry Tuesdays