It’s hard to believe it’s been six years. In 2001, both my husband and I worked across from the World Trade Center at the World Financial Center (we were at different companies though). My company had office space in both the WTC and the WFC, and one employee was killed in the Trade Center that day. His name was Ira Zaslow and you can find out more about him and his foundation here.
My coworkers and I were able to flee north up the West Side Highway. My husband had to exit his building heading south, meaning he was next to the water with nowhere to go when the towers came down. He was caught in the dust. The tie he used to cover his mouth and nose was later acquired by the Newseum.
We weren’t able to go back into our office building until April 2002. I stood on a little terrace on the 9th floor and took a picture of Ground Zero.
We were allowed in the building to gather up belongings. Our building had suffered relatively minor damage during the attack so things theoretically should have been intact on my floor. But — just to add minor insult to major injury — everything not nailed down had been stolen, down to a fancy pen taken out of its box and spare change stolen from a jar. Whoever took Bumpe, my stuffed cow, was a real ass. What kind of person stops to steal a happy-looking cow from a disaster site? You think s/he would have been content with my laptop.
Bumpe is available at quincyshop.com
If you would like to find more information online about the people lost that day, Legacy has a permanent memorial. To learn more about the news coverage of the event, I recommend Running Toward Danger. Other books include:
- 102 Minutes: The Untold Story of the Fight to Survive Inside the Twin Towers
- Portraits: 9/11/01
- On Top of the World
UPDATED TO ADD: Bumpe’s creator read my post and sent me a replacement Bumpe. Read about it here.
Great post. I almost wish I weren’t in the city today because of all the emotions this stirs up for everybody… I’m glad you and your husband survived okay, and there is no excuse for stealing Bumpe. I mean, he’s incredibly cute and I guess maybe that’s an excuse.
I’ve thought of getting a new Bumpe but it is too painful a reminder of 9/11. Though I also remember the day I got him in 1997 or so. He sat on my lap during the subway ride home, and all the grumpy subway-riders cheered up and came over to say hello to him. He was a really city cow.
“Real city cow,” I should say.
OH…
You left Bumpe behind..?
I think you SHOULD get a new one..
That’s some story.
We all have our stories don’t we.
A trading pal in Detroit! called and told me about the plane.
I went up on the roof and saw them all fall down.
I’m so glad it’s rainy today and not another bright sunny beautiful New York day…
It’s all in the details isn’t it.
I heard that family who have lost loved ones sometimes wish that the public wouldn’t stir up so many emtions and memories every year because it’s like they begin grieving all over again, every year. Nice post, I know this sounds weird, but I sometimes wish I was there not because I’m a thrill seeker or anything but because everything was just so unbelievable.
It still seems totally surreal. It’s these stories and the little details, like Bumpe and the pantyliners in the drawer, that keep it real in my mind. Thanks for sharing, Wendy.
wow. that morning was just pure craziness. i was living in the east village at the time.
I’m glad you’re o.k.
My cousin worked in the World Trade Center. His accounting firm’s office was destroyed. The only reason he wasn’t hurt is because he was late taking the subway to work that day.
Crazy, no?
@ Valley Girl, whew, how lucky. So many random things like that made the difference between life and death.
Great post Wendy,I checked out the memorial and it brought tears to my eyes.Imagine how their families feel
wow, that’s really scary how you and your husband were so close to the wtc. the “anniversary” (for lack of a better word) must be really painful for you both. i’m so sorry…
Thankyou for writing about this Wendy. It is the plainly told factual stories that will make this event ring true, an Aural history.
And yes, it defies belief that people loot in these circumstances, what is it about the end of the world (as it must have felt) that makes people decide they need a Macbook, or a plasma tv, or Bumpe.
That must have really hurt.
xx
Good post. It’s funny the way that tragedy can both reveal the good and bad in people.
Truly, what kind of person steals a happy little cow from a disaster site? It seems so trivial but it really is indicative of a wider thing: (a lack of) respect for people and their belongings at a time of vulnerability. Sigh.