There is something ever so binding about New Yorkers and 9/11. While I was just 2 weeks into my freshman year at Penn State when our country was attacked, living here after college and revolving my life in the post-Sept 11th New York....one cannot help but be affected by its transformative effect on the city. On my drive to work each morning, I pass Ground Zero. I've seen the masses of construction workers multiply over the past few months as the 10yr anniversary quickly approached. I noticed the choice of trees chosen to dot the memorial site. 400 beautiful oak trees. An American flag was just hung on the Freedom Tower in the past 24hrs. From our roofdeck, you would've had a perfect view of the twin towers facing south. And as the anniversary approaches, I begin to hear the staff and doctors of the Bay Ridge area reminisce about the sunny late summer day, about who they knew, about friend's husband or wife or someone in their inner circle directly impacted by the events. Emotional as they come, my heart strings are tugged upon as these stories are recounted. I wasn't here for 9/11, but the memory of the event in the place I call home is constantly around me. And in choosing to move and live here after the biggest attack on US soil is a fearless trait I am proud to have...and a powerful characteristic that fastens New Yorkers together.
On Sunday, and every day....we remember.