Our trip to New York combined joy with sadness, or the more somber things in life. The weekend started with a memorial service, and ended with a visit to Ground Zero.
The memorial service at the National Arts Club was for our dear friend, Carolyn French, who had been a literary agent. Carolyn meant a lot to us--but especially to Terence--and she was also an inspiring human being. She made her mark when she was in her 70s -- long after many people 'retire' their interests -- when a play named 'Wit' was mailed to her by Margaret Edson. Carolyn recognized the brilliance of the play. Edson--who became both a client and friend of Carolyn's--went on to win the Pulitzer prize. May you rest in peace, Carolyn.
Visiting Ground Zero, on a wicked cold day, was moving. The security we had to go through to enter Ground Zero was tougher than what we've experienced at any airport nationally, or internationally. Graham and Julia thought we were getting on a plane. I don't think the children liked Ground Zero much--they sensed that something was 'off' about the area--Graham knew that the World Trade Center buildings had 'fallen down' ("Probably due to bad construction mom") -- but at one point they realized that people had died when the buildings fell.
So, of course, the children started playing tag. They were quickly joined by another little boy. And then, of course, a police officer stopped them ;) It's definitely not a place to run around.
The 'hole' where the water continuously feeds is haunting...like Hell. I didn't like being there much, it was a lot to take in. Terence and I had been in NYC the weekend after 9-11, and we'd seen what the area looked like right after the attacks. It's still hard to believe--and it's chilling to see all of the names of the people who died there.
Not the best picture of the family, but fitting--it was cold, it was Ground Zero
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