September 11, 2009

I have a tattoo of the Twin Towers on my right arm—fairly prominent, about 3 1/2 inches high. Often, strangers stop me to talk about my tattoos, and usually, since 9/11, this is the one they notice. The most common question I get is "Did you lose somebody?"

This used to surprise me. We all lost somebody. We all lost every one of the victims. I hope it takes nothing away from the people who lost spouses, partners, children, parents, and beloved friends and relatives, to say that the collective loss is profound.

We all lost somebody.

People had all sorts of reactions: Fear, rage, panic, numbness. I was, and remain, deeply sad. The hole in Ground Zero remains a hole in my heart.

My all those who lost their lives that day be at peace. May their loved ones be comforted. Let all those who sacrificed so much, physically and emotionally, in rescue and recovery efforts, be acknowledged and healed. May all of us pause for a moment to reflect upon all that we take for granted, and how swiftly it can change.

(Cross-posted in memorium)