Let Life Ring

At the moment of the attack, I had several friends in various places on scene: strolling through the site, in trains below, driving past, and in both towers on multiple floors. Shortly after, I had dozens of scared, but brave, friends in Hatzolah who got trapped by smoke in the tunnel, entombed in their command center, and steamrolled by the avalanche cloud. As I commenced my ten-mile walk from Midtown to Williamsburg, I fretted over the possibility that I would have to make decisions the next morning about whose funeral I could attend and whose I couldn't. That did not come to pass. Everyone I know, from those dear to me to passing acquaintances, survived the ordeal. I am grateful for that every day, but especially today. To all my brothers and sisters caught up in the maelstrom who emerged to continue their lives, I say: To life! To life! L'chaim!