| America Attacked | |
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Stay-at-home mother of one son, "Aubra", shares her memories of the World Trade Center Buildings.
"Today we look out across our Nation, perhaps our world, at a
changed face. The New York City skyline has lost an icon, The World
Trade Center's Twin Towers. While they only joined the city 28 years
ago they towered over the landscape at 1,362 feet (415m) and 1,368
feet (417m) respectfully. And now they lie in rubble.
For myself I don't remember a time they were not there. They
were a friend we eagerly anticipated seeing at the end of the long
drive from home (Northern New York) to my Aunt's house on Staten
Island. We used to search and search the skyline to see who would be
the first to pick them out. For us they signified the end of our
journey, a chance to finally get out of the car. My dad didn't
believe in stopping unless more than 2 people "needed" to. Those
towers meant it was time to see our family and more importantly, use
the bathroom.
I didn't get to visit the Towers until I was 14. One of my NY
cousin's was getting married and all our relatives came to the city
for the wedding. Our cousin "C" had never been to New York before
and wanted to see some of the sites. She asked myself (being the
youngest in the family) and our other cousin "D" to take her on her
tourist tour. Primary on her list was a trip to the top of the World
Trade Center, which is funny since she is very afraid of heights.
She panicked going near the glass windows, it was very fun to watch.
By the way, it was a gorgeous day and all I can say is What a View.
A few years later that same cousin "D" was working in the restaurant
on top of the Towers, Windows on the World. He was with them for
several years and took me to brunch there when I turned 16. It was
an event for me, brunch then to the museums, one of my favorite
pastimes.
I'm only one person and yes, they were only buildings. But in
those buildings were people who, like those buildings, touched
peoples lives. Neither should be forgotten. Over the next few days,
weeks, months and perhaps years we as a nation are going to be facing
the loss of those victims. We must not point fingers at anyone, we
must wait to determine where this attack came from. We must band
together as a nation to support our government in what they feel will
be the best course of action. We must attend to our own, giving
blood, supplies and dollars as we can to the organizations managing
those areas. But above all else we must remember the people who did
nothing but go to work as usual and paid the ultimate price."
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