I had graduated from high school that June and was just starting my first semester at the local community college. Class didn't start until 10:00, so I was sleeping in when suddenly my mom burst into my room and proclaimed, "Melody, you have to come see what's happening to our country!" I was seriously confused, and still very out of it when I sat in front of the TV and saw the Twin Towers up in smoke. My father explained what was going on. I watched all the chaos while feeling many of the same concerns I am sure all people felt that day. I contemplated whether or not I should go to class, and finally decided on going. My teacher ended up letting us all go. I remember going to the park across the street from my house later that day and realizing how quiet the world was. No planes were in the sky, no cars on the road. I thought back to when I was 13. That was the first time I went to NYC. On that trip, we took a cruise around Manhattan where we saw the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Yankee Stadium and of course the Twin Towers, but I remembered not being very interested in them, and I found myself regretting that. I wished I had taken a picture or had a clearer picture of them in my mind because they now were gone.


(Me at Ground Zero in 2002)

Less than a year after 9/11, my family was able to take another trip to NYC and we visited Ground Zero. Walls were still plastered with pictures of missing loved ones. The entire mood was solemn and people were quiet as if to show their respect. Some of the buildings surrounding Ground Zero still showed the scars they received from the tragedy. Windows were boarded up and tarps covered large parts of their exterior. The site itself looked like a large construction zone. There was no sign of the amazing buildings that once stood in that place.

Nothing compares to NYC and I am so glad I have been able to visit it as many times as I have. It's a strong city. Today I am wearing my "I {heart} NY" shirt to show that I remember 9/11 and for the brave men and women who gave their lives to save others that day.