Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Remembering the Twin Towers


On September 10, 2000 I took a leap of faith and told my boyfriend I loved him.
We were sitting on a bench watching speed boats zoom by on the Hudson River.
He said, “Thank you.” 

On September 11, 2002 as we rode the 1 train uptown to attend the 1 year memorial in Central Park, we discussed marriage. I had always been opposed to the traditional concept of a man proposing and said, “What if we, as a couple, decided to get married?” He replied “ok.”
Several months later we became husband and wife.

We had moved in together about a week before the attacks. He had lived in an area just across the street from the WTC. We spent our courtship in the shadow of those two majestic towers. I would ride the R train from Brooklyn to the Cortland stop. I’d rise from the underground and be greeted by them. I would walk towards them, into them, through them, to reach my love.

We discovered each other as we explored a new part of the city, later named Ground Zero. We fell madly in love and the towers witnessed this, including my declaration of love.

This is how I wish to remember them, a magical time when my heart fully came alive.

My husband and I visited Ground Zero in July during a trip to see family.
Here is the subway station I used to exit. There is Ground Zero in the background.
 Here is a view of the Freedom Tower from near where he used to live.
It was an emotional visit for us.

6 comments:

  1. What a beautiful piece, Jeanette!

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  2. So sweet, gentle and hopeful! I have "thought out" my quilt weeks ago (Ecclesiastes) but have not made it yet. I love the shaft of light Jeanette!

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  3. Sweet story and the quilt tells it so well!

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  4. Hi Jeanette. This piece moves me so much. I didn't go right down to the towers, most of the time I lived in NY, only 6 months in 1988 for a residency at PS#1. Later I took the subway at the WTC and was shocked at their hugeness. This has stayed with me: how massive they were, and the shock that they could go down. I can't imagine your feelings, since your life is so entwined with them - how well you KNOW the size of the loss of life involved. I'm so glad your love is alive and well. Love, Susan

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  5. Very powerful piece both in the imagery and the feeling it conveys.

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  6. Thank you. Once again you leave me speechless.

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