Natural Closure

My family has just visited New York City for the eighth time since 9/11. On each trip a visit to Ground Zero has been a "must do" activity. The destruction of the Twin Towers was a defining moment in American history and few adults today don't know where they were when the heard (or watched through TV) of their collapse. Fortunately I did not know anyone who died that day, but I do know people who did.

In 2002, our first visit the site was still, after a year of clearance, one of devastation. St Paul's Church was full of the cluttered reminders of the support given to the rescuers and the railing were still draped completely with all the tributes, memorials and faded hopes that followed the apocryphal event. It was incredibly emotional just to be there and when one read the pleas, poems and other pieces that were left, it was nigh impossible not to shed a tear.

Other the interceding years we have watched the railings be cleared, the pieces in the church become better organised and for new buildings to start rising. Each visit was emotional, yet we felt compelled to visit.

Last year the memorial garden had been opened, but not the museum. There were huge queues to get into the garden, but we then saw the well that marked the footprint of each tower. Around the wells are the names of all who died and in a nice touch they authorities place a white rose on each name on their birthday. The focus had moved from St Paul's and I had a fear that it might be becoming "commercial".

That said I am pleased to report that this year was different. There were no queues into the memorial garden. The museum was open and we did not have to wait long to gain entrance. Inside one has access to foundation area below the towers where the City has laid out a tasteful and respectful display or artefacts, memorabilia and personal tributes. It most certainly was not Disney does 9/11 that it might have become, but instead it felt a fitting memorial to those that died and a place that anyone could appreciate.

At the same time in St Paul's the remaining stands and items had largely been moved to allow the church to make more usual Christmas preparations - there was a rehearsal of a seasonal reading when we visited. It felt as if the church was now free to move on and I have to say that it felt right.

My wife and I discussed it at the end of our visit and we both felt that there was a closure there for us. We do not feel the compulsion to visit again, well at least not every time. I think that New York is healing. Something like 9/11 can never be forgotten, but neither should it lock a City and its people in a time lock.

I did not know John W Wright Jr , but I just want to wish him belated birthday wishes for the 14 December! I hope that his family and many thousand others are able to find the comfort and closure that we have.