Ground Zero

 My trip to New York City was something of a whirlwind, three days to take in as much of the city as humanly possible. Top of my list? Rockerfeller Center, Times Square, Central Park, The Brooklyn Bridge, shopping on Fifth Avenue, Grand Central Terminal & The Statue of Liberty. Going to Ground Zero never really crossed my mind, but I actually ended up going twice.

On our second day, we headed south, and my dad suggested starting our day with a quick trip to Ground Zero, before breakfast in a nearby cafe. My dad has visited New York a fair bit, and his first trip coincided with the building of the memorials. He said that they passed this particular cafe and it was where all the construction workers were getting their lunch, so they knew it'd be good. It was, but that totally wasn't the point of this story.

Anyways, we were up bright and early, bundled ourselves into a cab with a Starbucks in hand (Americano and Cream for Dad, Soy White Caffe Mocha for me) and headed to Ground Zero.

I think everyone who was alive for 9/11, remembers that day very vividly. Since my return, I've spoken about it with a few people, some older than me, some the same age, and some even younger. All of them can remember exactly where they were when they heard, everyone can remember the news footage. I was pretty young at the time, only seven, but I remember being in school, kids being pulled from class by terrified parents, teachers talking in hushed tones, crowding round their computers, and going home and seeing the footage for myself. I don't suppose the sheer magnitude of what was happening really sunk in until a lot later. I remember seeing people throwing themselves out of the windows to escape and thinking "they must have a really big net to catch them all at the bottom". Little did I know, hey. 

I think the first thing that struck me was the sheer magnitude of the place. The two fountains are placed in the footprints of the towers, and whilst I'd always pictured incredibly tall towers, I don't think I ever realised how wide they were. The second thing was the names, hundreds of them, each perfectly carved into the bronze surround. It's not until you see these names, each one representing a life taken, sorted into people in the building, and first responders, that it really sinks in. It's not just a number. It's hundreds of individual lives.

I don't think I expected to be as shaken up by my visit, on the way there I kept thinking, it's only a fountain, but it really is so much more than that.

A more fitting tribute couldn't have been designed, the memorial site is a perfect dedication, and reminder. 

I won't say any more, because if I'm honest I don't know what to say. There is no way for me to put into words how I felt there, or what this place symbolises, but I really wanted to share this with you. It's important that we remember the lives loss, but also the strength that we have when we join together, and refuse to bow to acts of terrorism.

Dedicated to those who fell, and to those who carry on.