9/11 Memorial

September 11th brought an immense tragic loss to our country. 

On September 12th we realized our country and our world had been forever changed.

Ten years later, I have a husband who works in Manhattan and who lives next door to the 9/11 Memorial.

For the past two years he has strategically placed himself in California on the anniversary of 9/11.

Except for this anniversary.

For the past two years he has been able watch this construction site turn into a beautiful memorial.

During this past week he caught glimpses of preparation for the remembrance of 9/11.

From the hoards of news cameras, the filling of the 30-foot water fountains,
to the simple ribbons tied to the church's gates.

New York prepared itself for the world to finally see the construction site that they had so beautifully turned into a memorial 



And from the pictures Scott sent, from his modest iPhone camera,

it truly looks like a beautiful and peaceful site. 

 This past week there has been so much said, so many stories told,

and remembrance of the victims and heroes of 9/11 that I really don't have anything to add.  

 My heart still aches when I think about that day. 

My heart still aches for our country that lost its innocence. 

 I don't have a lot of words, just a bunch of pictures from Scott.

When I asked Scott what it was like at the memorial site, he paused and said,

"It was sobering. A sobering feeling knowing what had happened there."

He also mentioned the enormity of the site.

There are computers at the site you can access.

You can read about the victims, where they worked, where they were from

and where their name can be found at the memorial.

One year, for Father's Day, Scott bought his dad a cobblestone at the site.

Who knew that you could even do that? 

Anyway...

If you buy a stone, you can look it up on the computer and find it on the grounds.

Here's some more of the peace and enormity of the site...

Among all of the beautiful uniform trees stands the

"Survivor Tree."

A callery pear tree.

The only surviving plant found at the World Trade Center site.

Today was the first day you could get tickets for the memorial.

If you are visiting New York and want to go to the memorial you need a ticket...

911memorial.org is where can get one!

Scott feels like he went at the best time of day.

He was able to see the site during the sunlight.

And as night fell, there was a different peace that was present.

The love and care that has been taken to honor these victims and

their families is overwhelming

(even through the lense of an iPhone).

May God bless America.

Land that We Love.