For the most part, I don't go to the site of Ground Zero in New York City. And hesitated showing these pictures to upset anyone. As a Feng Shui Consultant in New York, I love to show all the beauty of New York City and I do in many of my posts. This is only the second time I have been to this site because the energy, for me, is too strong. There is a sadness that permeates the very air-and I have to go somewhere after to allow it to dissipate.
This was the site where the Twin Towers stood. There is so much construction there you cannot get anywhere near it....the memorials on the fences are gone and have been moved into the tiny church directly across the street that survived the attacks.
When I think of that time of course there is a great sadness but also a reemergence of New York City which banded together like I have never seen before. Everyone was equal....race, religion, nothing mattered as we all came together to help each other. Of course it spread to Long Island and beyond.
I remember our bravest but also the "ordinary" citizens who could have stayed away but volunteered to help in any way they can. People were nicer, more courteous and friendly and we thought of EACH OTHER. A cab driver told us the first time we went down that "Ground Zero" was now New York City's number one tourist attraction; I'd hate to think that was true.
This is the trunk of an old oak tree...the top blown away. They found the trunk intact and preserved it.
If it is, then we should also never forget the kindnesses we can pass along every single day.....and wish we had stayed bonded, all of us together just as we had united then. There are many pictures in this post and the next and some are sad indeed. But I can't show Manhattan without showing ALL of it, the beauty and pleasure and the sadness of what this great City endured.
Sacred Ground
*Pictures of Inside St. Paul's Historic Chapel will be posted shortly.
**Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant since 1997 and is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island providing on site Feng Shui Consultations for New York City (Manhattan) and all of Long Island for Homes, Apartments, Businesses, Corporations, Renovations and New Construction. Carole also provides Lectures and Workshops on Feng Shui Principles.
Carole, I have had that EXACT feeling as you sometimes. You can't show the light by avoiding the dark. The dark happens and we have to acknowledge it. ALL of it is what makes the beauty in my opinion MORE beautiful.
Carole, I went to Ground Zero the December after 9/11. It broke my heart. I live outside of DC so we had seen, and my mother's fiance, worked at the Pentagon while it was still in disrepair.
It was so interesting in an area where people are dont really pay attention to each other that we were all a bit kinder to each other. Sad that it took something as tragic as that day to make us all stop and think more of our neighbors. We should NEVER forget what happened to us. We should always be kind to each other.
Carole,
As a former NYC resident, it took me a long time to be able to go to Ground Zero. I did go after about 9 months and it was so sad. I have only been there twice since it happened, and find it very hard to go there. I am in the city about once a month, but avoid that section of the city. I was in town one day this past week and stumbled upon a beautiful little park with a plaque that said the park was dedicated to all the firemen that lost their lives in the WTC attack. It is a lovely tribute. You are absolutely right, we should NEVER forget what happened.
I visit NY every 3 years for vacation. I absolutely love the city, the people, and the life. I was there last Sept 11th on business. I wanted to go the the memorial, but it is such an emotional experience I decided to avoid it and watch from my hotel room. I remember how somber the city was that day, it almost seemed to stand still. Youre right, the energy is overwhelming emotionally from Ground Zero.
I haven't been to NYC since I was a young child and I honestly have only vague memories of the Zoo. The tragic events of that day burned a timestamp in the minds of Americans similar to the JFk and MLK timestamps. Bound in such precise sadness, it seems we only move forward through sharing the what and where, we all know the when. Sad but cathartic post.
You brought out the beauty....there is always positive ...and though there was a great tragedy...there were people who contributed...the things they preserved ...
Carole, There have been three times in my life where the overwhelming sense of sorrow and loss have enveloped me; Ground Zero, NYC, The huge cemeteries of unknown soldiers in northern France, And The Wall in DC. with the names of fallen men I served with a lifetime ago. I think I know how you feel. It is hard to sometimes find beauty.
Hello Carole,
As I read this post, I felt the sadness just wash over and through me but yet as you wrote, the beauty of people did shine through in that dark time. We must never forget. I just wish we could all remember to be as kind, thoughtful and helpful to our fellow man daily as we are during a tragic event.
Carole ~ I still tear up over anything to do with 9/11. I can't believe it was almost 7 years ago; it still feels so fresh. Although I did not lose anyone, or even know anyone in the city that day, it affected New York as a whole and has, unfortunately, become a part of our history. I don't know that I would be able to visit the site in person.
Carole, nice ThemThem to our Men and Women who were lost on that tragic day. I haven't been there since 9-11 but would have the same feelings you desribe I'm sure.
Gary, There is an energy there of almost overwhelming sadness; it's really difficult for me to believe that any business will ever proper there.
Audrey, I wish that feeling of everyone helping everyone had stayed....People forget too quickly. The best and the bravest came out that day to help at their own risk and memories have been preseved in this tiny church.
Bobbi, I went into the city after it but nowhere near this site until two years had passed. The memorials at that time filled the fence all the way around the site. And now it appears they new construction is going up. I think it will be a very long time until I am able to go again.
Michael, That day still stands still....I don't blame you for not going to the memorial. The reading of the names is tragic to hear but I believe there are many prayers being sent that day.
Rich, The good that came of it was the true bonding that occured and I wish it had stayed that way...always.
Sally, It is amazing that this tiny church just across the street survived. I wouldn't have believed it was possible but it's there and inside are filled with tributes. A tragic day that showed some incredible heros.
Kim, I have also seen the Wall and memorials in D.C. and felt the same way. It's almost impossible not to. I thought about not posting this but it did show the love we carry around for our fellow man in tragic times.
Cynthia, I tried to show the beauty of these incredible people and the bonds that were formed---many will last a lifetime and beyond. There have also been incredible reunions....
Kathy, It took me two years and I was very hesitant in going back. But I had a Feng Shui consultation very close by and decided to go---not sure if I could again.
Duane, So many innocent men and women....which brought out so many heros from all over. I have never seen anything like it and hope I never will again.
Carole...I haven't been there but I would imagine it was the same feeling I had when the traveling "Wall" of the Vietnam Vets came to Concord...it was an overwhelming feeling!
Joan, It was incredibly sad and difficult to see but I also thought of all the heros that day....and the many days that followed.
Great photos, Carole. If I went to NY I would definately want to see Ground Zero. It would be a time of reflection and prayer for the families left behind.
Carole, lets pray we never see it again. Hope your weekend went well.
Duane
Missy, It's very difficult to see....but I believe many of the tourists who come are actually paying there respects which is so nice.
Duane, I am praying that we never see anything like it again. And I had a wonderful weekend, I hope you did as well!
Carole- What wonderful photos you took so up close and personal, thanks for the reminder. We must never forget. IN every tragedy there is triumph. In every negative there is a positive. SO although this was tragic and many people lost their lives it was a time of coming together and love that knew no bounds. It was the story of how God kept certain people away from work that day by just minutes. Amazing miracles took place that day too. And after 9/11 more people quit corporate jobs and started their own home businesses, more than ever before, dads came home to play with their kids, moms came back home to learn to live on one income so they could treasure their children and more babies were born 9 months later than in a long long time. And the patriotism we embraced at that moment in time was like none other. (Too bad that one was short lived. )
Carole~ I spent many Tuesday lunch hours at St Paul's in the 1980's when I worked for Citibank on Wall st. The most wonderful chamber music lunch time concerts were hosted there.
Hi Carole,
Thanks for sharing and the photos. I can only imagine the terror that was felt at the time of the attack and afterwards. I remember the day like it was yesterday and the sadness I felt and still do feel when I think about it. It was a truly unbelievable time in our history, one that I am sure will never be forgotten.
Carole-
Thnak you for sharing. I know the energy you speak about in your posts. I felt it when I visited Ground Zero in October 2003. I don't remember seeing this church, but I would loved to have seen it. I do remember looking through the fence at the hole in the ground. I remember walking to the south side and looking north and seing the subway being rebuit out of stainless steel. The sun was gleaming off from it and it moved me so much I can't describe it. It was the symbol of rebirth of New York