Liberty Plaza, situated near the World Trade Center, was enveloped in dust and debris on September 11, 2001.
The sight of blue remains a haunting memory for many who lived through that tragic day. The sky was clear and cloudless as autumn began. As the smoke partially cleared, a striking blue sky emerged where the towers once stood. This blue sky would forever be linked to an immense loss that came gradually into view.
Weeks later, I found myself tasked with decorating the Cathedral of St. John the Divine for a memorial service honoring employees lost at the Windows on the World restaurant. Blue hydrangeas, blue delphinium, and mountain laurel filled the space. That time wasn’t in isolation for me—for 9/11 is interwoven with memories of flowers, a detail anchored by my job in New York’s high-end floral industry. I paid my rent while working on a novel, gaining entry through service doors to places of wealth, including the 107th floor of the North Tower.
Personal Journey and Effects of Grief
Fortunate to have been away from work on that morning, I lost no one close to me in the attack. Yet, it took two years and the making of a thousand origami cranes before I could write about that day. An additional 18 years passed before this narrative saw the light of print.
In that time, life carried its share of joys and losses. I moved four times, held four jobs, married, and took on a mortgage. Teaching my stepsons how to prepare fried rice became a cherished memory. My friend Fumie returned to Japan. Meanwhile, my parents faced their own struggles—my father’s passing and my mother’s dementia.
A Florist’s View from the North Tower
On the morning of September 10th, I found myself on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center with a towering bunch of purple delphinium. It was routine to visit Windows on the World daily to maintain floral arrangements. The main dining room showcased six major arrangements, as well as smaller ones throughout the floor, including orchids and topiaries.
The floral business often requires sleight of hand. Arrangements counteract the natural order, continually refreshed between meals. Patrons were occasionally inconsiderate, leaving gum and cigarette butts in potted plants. But below the surface, I admired the hidden operations—hardworking individuals from various backgrounds contributing to the restaurant’s grandeur.
The Day Itself and Aftermath
On September 11th, in Brooklyn, from my window, I witnessed the World Trade Center aflame. Mere moments later, a plane struck the second tower. Fumie, intended for Windows on the World, was diverted to tend to flowers in Midtown. I learned about the 73 employees lost, and of Michael Lomonaco who survived due to a fortunate delay on a lower floor.
Weeks followed, characterized by the continuation of life, incomprehensible in the shadow of loss. The Cathedral service was emotional—a representation of accumulated grief. Delphinium, hydrangeas, and laurel filled the Cathedral. Names of those lost filled the program, including the three I recognized.
Months after, in journals and newspapers, survivors and victims’ stories became a relentless contemplation of loss. My own understanding sifted through articles in attempts to piece together meaning. I learned of the smoke-engulfed rooms after the first plane, where flower arrangements offered temporary relief until the end.
Reflection and Moving Forward
The morning of September 10th unravelled like any other. The sun illuminated the restaurant, and flowers stood resilient in their beauty. My conversation with a friend from the 106th floor payphone marked a simple snapshot of normality.
That day, Fumie and I shared a silent moment in a secluded room, gazing over the city. The panorama was a breathtaking demonstration of the city’s vibrancy, a presentiment of the world’s changes to come.
This memory persists, as does the vibrancy of a resilient sky—a testament to an enduring spirit amid the weight of memory.
Create a life filled with intention and gratitude, even when intertwined with unexpected loss. This is the reflection of resilience—an essential lesson moving forward in any era of challenge.