Andrew Zucker. Died 9.11.01. I wasn't all that close with him around the time of his death, but at one time, we had been good friends. I first knew that he was missing after another friend called me up because he had seen Andrew's picture on CNN. I still think about him every time I think about 9.11. He was a genuinely good guy, in the wrong place at the wrong time. Or maybe it was his time, but I doubt it.
I'm sitting as close to ground zero as I'd ever imagined I'd be sitting on the one day four years ago when sitting this close to where the Twin Towers once stood might have cost me my life. I'm sitting here today, on the day that changed this city, this world, forever. And I'm hearing lots of cars with loud mufflers go by. Cars that are decorated with American flags, and other patriotic symbols, and there are also hundreds of motorcycles driving to the tip of Battery Park City, all trying, in some way, to memorialize this day.
I'm sitting here, in this office, with the boy I love and three cats, trying not to be sad about the loss of life that happened on this day, or the loss of life that is currently happening down South, or the fact that one day we will all lose our lives. I'm still trying to get over the sadness I feel about my grandfather's loss, and the sadness I feel about the loss of downtown New York, an area that's full of high rise homes and fancy buildings, and that's about all it feels full of these days. Although I wll say that if you can get to Battery Park City to walk on the Promenade I do recommend you checking out just how pretty the west side of Manhattan can look. At least down here, where things once got ugly.
And I'm thinking that it's a good time to take a walk, right before day turns to night, and the sun goes to sleep, it's a good time to walk and reflect, and to simply think.
So, that's what I'm going to do. Stop writing and start moving, because today is a day that it's good to remember just how lucky I am to be alive.
Oh, and my first podcast is up. I'll be reminding you often. So check it out. Tell me what you think, good or bad. I don't care. In the scope of events that happened today, this is just the first podcast (still, i am excited about it, and promise to be even more excited tomorrow!!!).
Posted by jamye at September 11, 2021 05:20 PM