| Hank Chinaski |
09-11-2013 08:32 PM |
Re: Towards A Virtual Williamsburg!
I knew no one who died 9/11/01. I had the trauma we all did, and the generic empathy, but no face to put on it. From here, and elsewhere, I do have a number of contacts in NYC, and they were clearly more touched, and most knew 1 or more victims. 4 years ago we started spending time in Manhattan, renting a place on the UWS. We bring our dog so we hang out in the Riverside Park dog parks. We know people from the parks as we see them and their mutts most days. This is the closest to friends we have made (other than a few people we have interacted with for other reasons) in the neighborhood. The first year I realized I was sitting on a bench with a plaque "Sally Jones 2/3/65-9/11/01." I focused on that. If I had lived in the city on that day I know I'd at least be able to picture Sally. She put a face on the monstrosity. And I realized why the NY'ers felt so much stronger about it all, they could see a face, or faces. I mean Sandy didn't touch my block, but 9/11 hit my dog park. And I started pointed out the plaque and asking people if they had known her. I wanted to know what she looked like, how she was, so I could see a face, could understand better. No one remembered. Last year I finally found an old woman who remembered Sally. She died in a hospital after a long battle with cancer. So now I'm back to generically honoring the fallen. To them all.
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