I never had a chance to visit New York City prior to September 11, 2001. The only NYC I knew was what I saw in movies, on television, in photos, or through stories told by friends who had visited or lived there.
I never had a chance to visit New Orleans prior to Hurricane Katrina. The only New Orleans I knew was what I saw in movies, on television, in photos, or through stories told by friends who had visited or lived there.
As I sit here, physically and geographically sheltered from two of the cruelest tragedies to befall our nation in the last several years, I can't help but think of all those who haven't been spared.
Every September 11, since 2001, I think of my friend Tommy, a New York policeman. He was called to duty that day. A week later, he called to let me know he was okay. Many men and women he admired were not, though. Many others he never had the opportunity to know were not okay.
As time went by, the distance between Tommy and I grew. Physical distance had never mattered, but suddenly, it did. I couldn't bridge the geography that separated us to reach out and hold him, to help him through those dark days and nights that weighed so heavily on his heart. My only concern was that he had someone with him during those times. On the occasions we did talk, he assured me he wasn't alone, that he had friends and family to help him through. Our phones calls eventually tapered off, but he has never completely left my heart or mind. He is always there; my hero, my friend.
Perhaps we will someday meet. The odds are not in my favor though. With each day that passes, I know that it becomes more unlikely that we shall ever stand face to face. Time and distance are like that. In many ways, I'm okay with that. In many ways, I've accepted that our friendship served its great purpose in every moment that I worried and wondered if he, his coworkers, and his family were okay. I can't explain it any other way.
Article comments
1 - Victor Lana
Joan,
Your feelings and thoughts about 9/11 do matter, and I believe writing about it and talking about it helps others. I am a New Yorker (please see my post from yesterday re: 9/11) and lost people that day. Much of the support for my city came from all over the country, from many people like yourself who never were here in their lives. Thank you for being there for us in spirit.
2 - John Bil
Those are places that I wished I visited also. Now, I will never see them.