the bench

While we were in New York

over Christmas,

we visited

Ground Zero.

It was so different 

than on my first trip

ten years ago.

At that time,

the ruins were still 

smoldering.

Now,

the footprints

are "Reflecting Absence."

The absence of so many lives

lost.

Fathers, brothers, sons.

Sisters, mothers, daughters.

Each life a gaping 

hole in the lives of those

who loved them...

And love them still.

I wanted my children

to see this place

because

they will grow up in a very different

America

than the one I once knew.

While waiting on our appointed time,

we visited the 9-11 Museum.

Carolyn saw me perusing a book

and surprised me with it

for Christmas.

I read it in one day.

Of course,

books lead to 

books...

so I downloaded 

AND THERE HE WAS...

Since moving to Sag Harbor ~

day after day,

 as often as possible,

I walk at Long Beach.

And each time I walk the mile

end to end,

I read the inscriptions

on the benches.

For some reason,

Steve Cherry's bench

(dated 9/11)

has always 

magnetically

held my attention.

I once googled him 

and found that he was a father

of four boys

and a devoted husband.

I had often thought of how unfair it had been 

that he

went work one day

and never came home.

Yet - there he was!

In my book!

I finally found out 

what had happened to 

this person I had thought about

so many times.

His story has been written down

for posterity.

And I prayed:

May God still be with his family.

May All the stories of 9/11

remain in our hearts

and souls.

May every story be told

and every life remembered.

May something like this

never ever

happen again.

May we be forever thankful

for the soldiers

who protect our rights 

and our freedoms.

And

 May God Bless 

the 

USA.