This Years September 11; The Rebirth

The last week or so I have been inundated with juggling life's schedule.  Living in NYC, commuting to Phili two days a week, wearing a "Mom: hat five days a week, while juggling everything else that life throws one's way.

September 11

Three or four days before Sept 11, I was mapping out how I would spend this year's 9/11.  I expected it to be a copycat of the last five years; waking up to Utopian-like weather, bright blue skies with Hawaiian like trade winds, turning on the tele and listening to the long list of names being read by their loved ones, taking a subway ride downtown from my apartment to ground zero to pay my respects and lastly, I thought, for the first time,  I would pay tribute with an eloquently written heartfelt blog entry.  It so happens that I didn't do any of the above.

It was a very rainy day but a pleasantly gray one.  There was a like-minded energy on the streets that told you everyone else was thinking what you were feeling.  That kind of energy.  Some bleary-eyed, some morose but as with most, a neighborly, brotherly energy that made you feel protected all day.  I can't describe it but I know I felt it.

I spend my day recouping from school at home and a session of acupuncture.  I just love the feeling of needles all over my body.  I spent my evening my evening with a dinner eating exotic Tibetan dishes with a friend who lost a family member in the towers.  Over two glasses of cheap wine, I thought to myself, "When is the right time for me to tell him how very sorry I am for him and his family".  But I realized I didn't need that moment.  He knew I was thinking of what he was feeling. 

To my friend, he saw this year's anniversary as a rebirth; he had stopped smoking days ago, cut back on drinking and would hit the gym in the early AM to help him shed the pounds that sometimes creeps up on most of us. Sometimes  accidentally.  But most times deliberately. By the end of our evening, he kissed me a friendly goodnight, smiled knowingly and put me in a cab heading back uptown.  From the speeding taxi, I looked out the window as I always do when I'm in Manhattan at night.  Its the lights that get me.  Its the tall buildings that still have my whipped for this city.  Its the child-like awe that put the apple in my throat.  This time.  I let the tears flow.  But I still smiled.  The cab driver looked at me through his mirror.  He didn't have to say anything.

He knew I was thinking just what he was feeling.

Comments

[M. Frederick Voorhees]

As a Boston boy and a NY Yankees hater, I have to confess entries like yours really make me love New York.

[julian]

Beautiful story Kali...and very moving. It feels even for me here in FL, like it was just yesterday... I am truly touched! We will push through, we always do, right... Thank You Kali ~julian

[Jim]

God Bless.

[Yankee Doodle]

New York can be a magical place.

[john]

hey kali,

i dont have your email so i am posting the address to the amazon web startup competition to you here. i am sure you will get this. http://www.amazon.com/gp/browse.html?node=377634011 let me know if you are planning on going and hope all is well. john

[Lisa McGlaun]

Kali,
I know that New Yorkers experience this day differently from the rest of the country. I don't know if we can fully understand what you were feeling and even so, you painted a clear picture of the emotions.

I'll never forget that day and I'm glad for your friend that in the rememberance there is also rebirth.

Lisa