7 Years Ago
I remember being at class at the Jewish Theological Seminary where I spent most mornings during my years at Columbia. A friend of mine was a certified EMT and got a text message from his dad saying that there was an accident downtown and that he should see if they could use his help. When the second plane hit we realized, as did the rest of the world, that it wasn’t an accident.
I remember watching the towers actually collapse on themselves on live TV.
I remember that afternoon when the smell reached Morningside Heights and the clear skies turned dark with soot.
I remember the emotional impact on the city. The New York Attitude ceased for a few months. Cars didn’t honk. People we’re polite and friendly. It was really weird.
I remember being glued to CNN and Fox News waiting for the next thing to happen. Fear became the top story, every day, all the time. People started liking President Bush. I wanted to re-elect Giuliani and abolish mayoral term-limits. Fear distorts.
I remember finally crying a week later while watching a fundraiser/concert program on TV. Dave Matthews did his song ‘Everyday’ by himself and the sadness poured out of me. I broke up with my girlfriend and abandoned most of my religious observance. Everything had changed.
