The past few days have been filled with memories and ceremonies, and it feels like yesterday sometimes, but it is 20 years. As others here have written, I have never seen the footage from that day, and only a handful of photographs. Because I was already living back in Morris County, New Jersey, by 2001, our local television stations all were knocked out when the towers collapsed, and I’ve made a concerted effort to never watch the video footage, as it is too devastating just imagining it. (For many months afterwards, I had a lot of fear when planes flew overhead, especially when I was out on a run.)
In my childhood town, we lost over 100 citizens that day, because it is due west of lower Manhattan, and many people worked at the World Trade Center. At Mass that week, it took our priest nearly an hour to read the names of the deceased parishoners. It was devastating. Although 20 years have gone by, I still recall that day in vivid memories. My boyfriend at the time nearly lost his father in one of the towers, and no one can explain his blessed luck. His family was miraculously fortunate, and in the end, while always being mindful of our sorrow and grieving, it is also important to try to be grateful for miracles and good things, too.
As I sit near the former shadows of the World Trade Center, now lit by beams of hopeful light, I feel strengthened and enriched by my amazing friendships across the globe. It is the Poles that connect us all, and I am so grateful for having had the chance to meet millions of people while I was on my quest to become a CO/UA million miler. Each mile and smile is a precious part of my life. Here’s to all of our international friendships!!!! With love to all.