Odd memories

[plural]

In my wanderings around the web
I came accross a photo of myself from 2001
not sure why I never saw it before now

It was this photo from the Seattle P.I. web site
[one of the big local papers in Seattle]



The story is one I remember vividly but not one I every posted about
or as far as I can remember even mentioned or discussed

I went to the flower vigil at the Seattle Center
I think Amber was with me there
but to be honest this incident
sort of dimmed the rest of my recollections of that day

The vigil was at the Seattle Center Fountain
a huge fountain sunk about thirty feet into the ground
that you can walk down a ramp into.

There were flowers everyone but most were filling the fountain itself

I was walking around the lowest level of the fountain
still in something of a daze from the events of 9/11

when I noticed a group of about twenty Muslims
entering the area, carrying a sign expressing their grief
people gave them a wide berth as they came down the ramp
and I stopped to watch

It just so happened that I was at the bottom of the ramp
and still standing there watching when they reached me
I am not really sure what my thoughts or motivations were
as I wasn't really thinking

I offered my hand with a smile in welcome
by way of not really having a clue what else to do

he took my hand and we embraced
and something happened
we both started crying
utterly releasing all the pain, fear and worry we had been bottling up
for the past for days

it was the first and only time I have cried about 9/11
we must have stood there for ten minutes
tears streaking down our cheeks
our bodies quivering with ragged breath
before we again composed ourselves

We introduced ourselves minimally
spoke briefly about the horror of it all
still seeking to regain the security of composure

the photographer [who I had not noticed]
came over and asked for our names

we spoke for a few more minutes
shook hands in parting
and went our separate ways.

Comments

[budhaboy.livejournal.com]

I particulalry like that freak in the background looking at the scene intensely wondering when the Jew-dog is going to pull out a weapon and kill his friend, now that he'd lulled him into a false sense of security.

[plural.livejournal.com]

I was wondering about him myself

[zaiah.livejournal.com]

Awesome photo. Somethig to keep for your memoirs.

[zaiah.livejournal.com]

Besides, of course, this apparently being the week your haidresser was out of town. *inno*

[plural.livejournal.com]

I must confess my hair was the last thing I was thinking about at the time

No kidding. :/

[zaiah.livejournal.com]

You are, dear man, I think much more of a poet at heart and a sentamentalist than me.. for all your pragmatism (cynicism) and strength. I have never known what to do with that type of romance.

I love Google

[pr1ss.livejournal.com]

Best post ever.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_sacchi/]

*pretends she didn't find that picture ages ago*

I was wondering about your hair, as well. I thought naww...too long. But honestly, how many men with your name could live in Seattle?

[darwinpolice.livejournal.com]

I just looked this post up because I wanted to have a look at the picture again... I can't believe I didn't reply when I first read it, because I have seen that picture before.

Having grown up in Seattle, I sometimes check back on the Times and (less frequently) the PI, and I remember reading the PI a few days after 11 Sept, and that photo stuck with me. My jaw literally dropped when I saw it in your post.

The world, it is small, no?

[plural.livejournal.com]

indeed it is

of course

seattle is my city

and as you grew up as well I'd be fairly surprised
if there werent other connections to be found

gak

[plural.livejournal.com]

insert "there" where appropriate