|
|
-
Tuesday, September 11, 2001 was a beautiful morning, or so we thought.
We got up. We went to work. It was business as usual for the police and fire departments. The city that never sleeps was wide awake.
World Trade Center Plaza was full of people.
Most of them were moving briskly along the tiles of the massive concourse. Some stopped at the fountain for a cigarette. "The Sphere", a sculpture by Fritz Koenig, the fountain's centerpiece shone on this bright morning.
People waited in the grand lobby for their elevators to take them up through the tall towers.
Bright sunlight shone through the cathedral windows. You could hear the tapping of high heeled shoes on the floor.
The scent of fresh brewed coffee, perfume, and aftershave permeated the express elevators.
It was any morning at the World Trade Center.
From the north tower you could see the Empire State Building, Central Park, and a plane flying toward the tower. It was 8:45 am.
At that moment the people on the plane faced an unspeakable horror.
The people sitting at their desks faced that same horror.
At that moment of darkness they saw a great light.
They saw each other in the glow of that light.
The computers went blank.
The coffee cups were empty.
A door opened.
They were led toward that light.
A man stood in the plaza and looked up at the gaping hole in the side of the tower.
He saw the paper flying all around. He didn't see the debris as it hit him.
A hand reached out of the cloud of darkness. The man took hold and followed.
People in the north tower looked out at the burning building beside them.
They heard the noise of the engines before they saw the jetliner heading straight towards them. They had no time to run, no time to call......, no time at all.
The plane hit.
A voice called to them. They heard the message. They moved as one toward the light.
A policeman was carrying a seriously injured victim out of the north tower.
He looked up in time to see the south tower hit by the jet. He quickened his pace to reach safety. Seconds later, they felt the weight of tons of terror.
The policeman and the woman he was carrying slipped into a deep sleep, then awakened to a bright light.
They stood up and walked towards that light.
A group of office workers from the north tower stood just past the fountain.
They were staring at the burning hole in their building.
They had evacuated shortly after the plane hit. It seemed like a safe distance from the falling debris.
They heard the deafening noise of jet engines. Then the south tower exploded in front of them.
A bright light illuminated "The Sphere".
A figure stood in the fountain. "Come with me" were the words spoken.
They all followed, knowing they would reach salvation.
The firefighter reached the 78th floor skylobby of the south tower.
The plane's wing had cut through the elevator waiting area. The devastation nearly blinded him.
A group of people walked calmly towards the stairwell.
"Are you OK!", he shouted.
They did not answer.
He followed them to where he saw a bright light.
A hand reached out to them all.
They gathered together on the roof of both towers.
The clouds were below them.
They felt closer to heaven then they had ever been.
They each met a person from their past who had a profound effect on their life.
They were told of the good that would come from their ultimate sacrifice.
They would miss their families, but they could not shed tears.
On this day, they would be in heaven.
Their work on earth was done.
One by one they noticed below them the towers were gone.
The Gates of Heaven opened to them.
With a smile, they each entered the Kingdom of Heaven.
When we reflect back on the events of September 11th 2001, and the loved ones lost on that day, we must remember they have reached their immortal salvation.
There is no more pain for those killed by the senseless acts of that day.
We must go on.
Instead of reliving the horrendous images of that morning, think of our loved ones in the arms of the angels, resting in everlasting peace.
Lynne & Art Shea
-
I hope, in some small way, TOWERS TO HEAVEN can give comfort to the New Yorker's who suffered, and still suffer so deeply.
Art Shea
-
TOWERS
When the towers tumble
and hearts are broken
we look to each other
with words unspoken.
The missing pieces of our lives
reach to the sky in pain.
The wreckage of our memories
will rise again.
The sun will shine
on our great skyline.
Our spirit will rise from the rubble
to once again
feel free to reach to the sky in glory.
TOWERS was written on September 11, 2001
We will reach to the sky in glory again!
Art Shea
My painting "TOWERS" can be viewed in my ART GALLERY
Access from my home page.
Thanks for visiting!
www.artshea.com
|
|
