Notes of Concern…
…Jackson Blair
FATEFUL DAY
For many years I worked in the Wall Street area of New York City. Like thousands of others I walked past the twin towers of The World Trade Center every day.
When I first saw those buildings I looked at them with awe. The enormity of the shadow they cast across New York City. The statement they made, their great steel façade shining brightly and reflecting the sun. They were not only outstanding architectural creations they stood as symbols of America’s economic excellence, world leadership in international trade, and the home to hundreds of companies that provided thousands of jobs to people just like me.
On occasion, my schedule included a breakfast or lunch meeting at the top of the tower restaurant. Those were especially exciting days. Approaching the towers, entering the busy lobby with people moving in and out with such purpose evident in their faces. It was the usual, exciting hustle bustle one finds in New York City.
Then I would enter one of the seemingly endless number of elevators for the long ride to the top. When I exited the elevator I would be presented with views to be found nowhere else. I felt as if you were on top of the world, and essentially I was.
These are the memories that returned to me this week as I watched the memorial services on television. It is scary to realize only the “fickle finger of fate” determined who would arrive at work on time September 11, 2001, who would have a scheduled meeting in one of the offices or a breakfast at the restaurant on top of the tower. Which worker decided to take a personal day, and which workers had a vacation week. How many “temporary workers” had been assigned to help out at the World Trade Center offices that day. How many young hopefuls had arrived that day to interview for a position?
All the innocents.
All the victims.
All the justifiable outrage.
We remember them all.
All the brave.
All the heroic.
All the selfless.
We remember them all.
No comments:
Post a Comment