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Remembering 9/11

You are welcome to share Dr. Gloria Lee’s article:

enormous square fountain memorial with inscribed names, a lesson in human connection

A Lesson in Human Connection

This week, I found myself in New York City on the anniversary of 9/11. The experience was surreal, bringing back memories from 23 years ago when I last visited the Twin Towers—massive, tall, grand, and majestic.

Then and Now

I vividly recall ascending to the 107th floor observation deck, feeling the slight sway of the building in the wind. It was awe-inspiring, and yes, a little frightening.

Today, the landscape has changed. One enormous building now stands where there were two. Beside it lies a massive square fountain—the footprint of the missing tower—that cascades into a deep black void, symbolizing the absence and the immense loss. A marble border, inscribed with the names of those who perished, encircles this poignant memorial.

A Day That Changed Everything

Though 23 years have passed, I can still remember the flashbulb moment when I heard of the attacks. At around 6:30 AM, in the city of San Francisco, I was awakened by a friend’s frantic phone call alerting us to turn on the news immediately.

At that time, only the first tower was hit. We watched the second tower go down live. It was surreal and horrifying.

I was five months pregnant with my first child and remember wondering, “What kind of world am I bringing this child into?”

That day was like no other day I’ve ever experienced. Everything shut down. The airports, the buses, the malls, the grocery stores, the banks, all government agencies, everything.

The streets were bare and there was silence in the sky and on the ground.

This is what I imagine the apocalypse would be like.

But one amazing thing happened. Everyone stopped what they were doing. Nobody worked, nobody played. Everybody came out on the streets from everywhere.

Strangers gathered. Debriefing, wondering, anxious.

Nobody knew what to do.

People were hugging each other, crying, and lamenting. Everywhere I went, friends and strangers held hands, forming large circles, praying and grieving with each other!

And this day taught me some profound lessons…

We can put our differences aside when we remember what truly matters.

We share a common humanity and feel the same pain and suffering.

When we carry each other’s pain, we lessen the suffering.

We are better as one.

It was in this moment of unity that I realized this was precisely the world I wanted to bring my child into—a world where we truly see and serve each other, allowing the best of humanity to shine through.

As we reflect on this sombre anniversary, I challenge you to pause and consider what’s most important in life: our relationships and connections with others.

Let’s not squander the precious time we have with each other. Instead, let’s treasure our relationships for the priceless gems they are.

 

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