Reflections of 9/11

Nine years ago I got a phone call at 9:10am telling me to go up on my roof in Jersey City. There, less than 5 miles away I saw my two favorite buildings dying. THe thing that struck me about that day was how great the weather was in NY. The sky was blue, the sun was shining brightly, and the temp was about 70. I also remember wondering how much this event would affect my life. Profoundly, I realize now.

I remember vividly the papers people posted all over the city in the coming days, asking for information about their father/brother/spouse/girlfriend who was last seen in Tower 2 or 1 on the 89th floor or the 101st floor. As the days progressed, these notices became more and more painful to look at.

I remember working a piano bar up town on Sept 12, and everyone wanting to sing happy broadway songs at the top of their lungs. I gave them what they wanted and felt like a dirty cheap whore. I hated my job that day.

I remember working a piano bar in the village, much closer to ground zero, on Sun Sept 15th, and everyone was desperately clinging to each other as we tearfully sang God Bless America, and the National Anthem and the song Anthem from Chess, and Billy Joel's Miami 2018. I felt the healing begin that day, and such gratitude that I was allowed to channel that healing through my music and my chosen career.