Today, during my stay here in New York City, I went on a little adventure in Manhattan. We went to the Empire State Building, saw Madison Square Garden, took the subway... all those "touristy" things that people do when they come to the Big Apple.
Our final destination, however, was sobering. We went to see Ground Zero.
While there was lots of activity, new structures being built, and a ton of people walking by as part of their daily ritual, it was still a heartbreaking sight. The deep gaping hole - the sheer size of it. Our vantage point (on a walking bridge over the south corner) was somewhat obscured by a steel mesh grid, but in the few inches of clear space, we had to wait our turn to look through.
The activity and the construction happening there seems to be causing mixed feelings, both happiness and heartache, among New Yorkers. Some want to halt construction altogether, until the remains of their loved ones are located, while others want to rebuild and try to commence the healing process.
As a South Carolina resident, I don't presume to know or even imagine the pain and struggle these people have had to endure. And now that I have seen it first hand, my resentment towards those responsible has been rekindled and I will now, truly, never forget.
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