Driving toward The Lights at 1:30am

Six years since That Day. What could I possibly write, I wondered, that was different and not trite? Well, when I watched reporters on the late news standing in Jersey City across from the Tribute in Lights, it dawned on me that i'd never gone so close to see them. And so, after a trip to ShopRite at 1am to fetch on-sale Pepperidge Farm milano cookies, I DID something different this year -- I rolled the windows down and sped toward the beams in the sky. The air was refreshing...kind of like 9/10/01, actually, post-monsoon rains. At 1:30am, there's not much traffic. And once in Jersey City, I quickly navigated my way through Hamilton Park and the waterfront district, and was stunned at how easily I found parking...RIGHT by the water. Since it was so late, people there to gaze and/or take pictures were parking in restricted areas with no problem. That's right...I certainly wasn't the only one there. I WAS the only one with a Fuji disposable camera; everyone else had TRIPODS set up. "Everyone else" was actually about a total of 15 people. Some solo, some boyfriend-girlfriend duos, and a smattering of buddies. Right before I left, 2 young guys took it upon themselves to re-light the impressive arrangement of candles set up right near the water's edge -- good for them, I thought, even though I've never quite grasped WHO is bringing candles to public memorials. Regardless, it was a nice gesture. There were other candle areas, too, and a few fresh flowers strewn about. And a card...from "Rudy and Melissa" to "everyone who lost someone." A young guy was strumming his guitar on a bench. A homeless guy wandered about. Mostly, though, there were photographers with tripods. And me. There was a general hushed reverence, although one bitch -- naturally, and I wanted SO badly to get through this blog sans profanity, but it's JUST not possible with the stupidity of the masses -- was literally screaming and laughing on occasion as she frolicked with her beau. Screaming and laughing. At 2am. At a memorial on Sept. 11th. Disgraceful. So I stayed like an hour. Walked a bit down the waterfront. Took about 4 pics. KEPT trying to recall how the towers were positioned -- and how tall they were. I'd look away, then jerk my head toward the skyline, trying to remember. I also noticed how the lights are NOT where the towers once stood, but further south by several blocks. Took me 10 minutes or so to grasp that fact. It was all beautiful and reflective, screaming bitch aside. The beams go SO high into the heavens...I can see them from here, miles away. Up close, though, from directly across the Hudson, something special to behold. So that's how I reflected on that awful day 6 years ago. Time flies. Still doesn't seem real. We're all still ALIVE.