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Sunday, September 11, 2011

Brief Shining Moments at the Twin Towers





ARTHUR:
Each evening, from December to December,
Before you drift to sleep upon your cot,
Think back on all the tales that you remember
Of Camelot.
Ask ev'ry person if he's heard the story,
And tell it strong and clear if he has not,
That once there was a fleeting wisp of glory
Called Camelot.
Camelot! Camelot!
Now say it out with pride and joy!

TOM:
Camelot! Camelot!

ARTHUR:
Yes, Camelot, my boy!
Where once it never rained till after sundown,
By eight a.m. the morning fog had flown...
Don't let it be forgot
That once there was a spot
For one brief shining moment that was known
As Camelot.




All photos are from our wedding trip September 1995:

#1 - Michael took this shot of me (rt.) looking up at the Twin Towers, with the old Trinity Church spire visible at left. (CLICK to hear 'Remember to Love': A Sept. 11 Concert from Trinity Church.) Perhaps the photo shows the top of the old Sycamore Tree that shielded the church from falling debris when the Towers fell.

#2 and #3 - A fellow tourist atop the World Trade Center Observatory Deck on the South Tower (Tower 2) took these two shots of Michael and me. I find it especially poignant now, this group of strangers captured in a moment enjoying the view as many had done before us and many did after us, until the morning of September 11, 2001. Shot #3 shows the antennae on the North Tower (Tower 1).

#4 - Me atop the WTC Observation Deck with the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in background (photo by Michael).

#5 - The Shadows of the Twin Towers (photo by me).


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12 comments:

  1. Delightful pictures of and by your! A happier time at a troubled spot.
    I've left a comment on my blog, directed to my American friends and neighbours on this "notable" occasion.
    http://chrome-on-the-range.blogspot.com/2011/09/america-at-91111.html

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  2. oh God this gave me chills.

    Exquisite.

    Wonderful.

    Thank you for sharing

    ((((HUGS))))

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  3. So clearly these photos were from a time before....

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  4. There were "Shining Moments" before, during and since. Indeed the stuff of Legend.

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  5. Brings it all home in a very personal manner ; to treasure the best from the past forever ; to mourn what is lost and move on...

    Love these photos, the shadows, you looking up, the radiant smiles

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  6. Rob-bear~ Definitely a happier time. But happy times will be part of the future at that site.
    How sweet of you to post something special for this day. I will come look.

    Caren and Cody~ Greetings to you two on this day of remembrance. Willow slept on my lap as I watched the memorial service. Did you sleep on Caren's lap today, Cody? ^.^

    mythopolis~ Indeed. I am glad I was able to experience the World Trade Center then and look forward to seeing the new one. So far, I think it looks absolutely beautiful...those waterfalls!!

    English Rider~ As I watched programs today I became even more convinced that you are right that "Shining Moments" will be an ongoing part of the legend of the World Trade Center.

    Owen~ Such a pleasure having a visit and kind comments from you today. I was so happy to hear from you.

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  7. So firstly - just to say that America was very much in my thoughts on Sunday

    Secondly - my my Lydia - but you photograph well :)

    If it weren't for Herself and the lack of a time machine... :)

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  8. Pixies~ A feeling I had today was that much of the world was thinking of America today. Thank you for your thoughts.
    Re: time machines, etc., thank you for your kind compliment. I photographed better ten years ago than I do now, that's for sure. It's all relative (I just thought that would sound good here!)

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  9. Jingle~ ...16 years ago, perhaps. :)
    The City always looked fabulous, in good times and bad.

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  10. this is so touching, this moment of deep personal symbolism which now, after history makes us look at these photos differently, gets another new and rich dimension of meaning: how individual and collective memories are intertwined, how fragile life is, and our moments of happiness, and how we should always keep this in mind and treasure them forever... at least for me, these are now some of my fleeting thoughts, in front of these wonderful images - also, how beautiful you are! :-)

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  11. Roxana~ Oh, thank you for your deep thoughts here...how individual and collective memories are intertwined so perfectly describes what I felt when I saw these again.
    Thank you for the compliment. :) Alas, Michael and I have each "matured" considerably in the 16 years since.

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