The World Trade Center - from Loss to Rebirth

A few days ago, 70 cement trucks made their way down into Ground Zero with the cement that will be the foundation of the new World Trade Center - the Freedom Tower. As a New Yorker who worked across the street from the WTC, every bit of news about the site means a great deal. It also brings back memories of that day, even though five years have elapsed.

Working so close to the WTC on September 11th, 2001, I felt the terror, and had to run for my life. However, I can never compare my experience with those who were in the Towers and escaped, or with those firemen, policemen and other responders who were there in the thick of it. For those that died and have loved ones left behind, I have only the most
profound respect. I can only imagine how those families felt and continue to feel every day.

I think all of us still feel profoundly about the events of that day. For those of us who worked in close proximity to the WTC,
who might have walked through the buildings day after day on the way to Broadway, Church Street, Wall Street or the World Financial Center, that day brought tremendous change to our lives. On September 11, 2001, terror was everywhere around. Even though most of those I worked with were not physically hurt, the efforts to escape serious injury or death were harrowing. I do not have to tell you about the smoke, falling debris and nuclear winter that ensued after the towers fell. You have seen it all in newspapers and on TV. But to be there....My mind, and those of my colleagues, were racing. Where should we go? How can we get home? How do we get out of Manhattan as fast as we can, and get home safely.

Even living in Brooklyn, I didn't make it home until the next day. After evacuating my building in the World Financial Center, I was lucky enough to ride out the collapse of the Towers in a Battery Park City apartment of a colleague. Then I was plucked from Battery Park City by a police launch and brought first to Liberty State Park. From there I was taken with other "survivors"
to an old army base in Jersey City, and then finally to Marine Ocean Terminal in Bayonne where I spent the night. As many others have said, the innate good of humanity came out in force that day. I couldn't believe the response of the people of Bayonne who provided everything you could think of for our stay in the old navy yard's gym. Food and drink of every kind was delivered to us. Prescriptions for those on medication were obtained. Dog food and diapers, toothpaste and combs, cots
and blankets and pillows were also brought. While it was not like being home, the mayor and people of Bayonne made sure we were comfortable. I'm sure this type of goodwill was experienced in other evacuation centers throughout New Jersey.

Back home on September 12th (My husband and I were married 25 years that day), I was relieved, but also sad at all I remembered seeing, and at the knowledge of so many lost. I remember crying so hard when I saw the families of Cantor Fitzgerald employees holding up pictures of their loved ones. It was an incredibly sad time, and I also knew it was no longer safe.

Not being able to go back to work because of damage in my building, I worked from home. During the ensuing few weeks,
my husband and I spent late nights watching CNN for more news. I've been told by many friends and acquaintances that t
this night watch was a common occurrence. We were all frightened to go to bed.

During the first weeks following the attack, mourning set in - both for the lost and for the buildings that were imprinted on
my brain. Anxiety set in too for awhile, until I sought the help of counselors who were made available in our Company. I had
no trouble sleeping, but when I would wake up sometimes in the middle of the night, I would try to imagine the buildings completely gone, and I couldn't imagine it. I walked through those buildings for 22 years while working in Merrill Lynch.
For the first seven years of work, the firm was located in One Liberty Plaza, a square block spanning Church Street to Broadway, and from Liberty to Cortlandt Streets. After 1987, the firm moved to the beautiful World Financial Center. At first there was nothing in that area west of the WTC. The firm had to provide breakfast and lunch for us for about three to six months. Then, the area exploded with restaurants and stores and beautiful housing and gardens. It was a wonderful place to work.

The World Trade Center was beautiful also. I can still see myself walking through the underground concourse, especially in winter when it was cold, and, of course, it was a great shopping place. I have so many reminders at home with things I
bought from there.

During the spring, summer and fall, I walked from the Express Bus stop on Church Street across the WTC Plaza, over the West Street north bridge, and into the World Financial Center. I can still see the gray stone under my feet as I walked across the Plaza. I loved the walks across there in the summer time. There was always something going on outside. There was always music. During that last summer of 2001, it seemed the WTC Plaza was better than ever - concerts every night, or swing dancing on Thursdays, and lunch-time music provided by various radio stations. It was wonderful. Then suddenly, it was all over.

I took advantage of an early retirement package in late 2001. I enjoyed my years at Merrill Lynch, but I was ready for a change. I would pursue a second career in health care, and eventually I would write a book based on my years of experience as a recruiter and manager. So many of my colleagues also retired, or just left to pursue a different kind of life.

It proves what everyone says about loss and life - that life goes on - that there is always new birth. I have many wonderful memories of the World Trade Center and the area around it. When I heard the news about the march of cement trucks to begin the foundation work for the Freedom Tower, I knew for sure that new birth is not far away.