Wasn't Born Yet

Max was not yet born on 9/11, but this image of his surprised face reminds me of the amazement and the delayed shock of that weird day. My memory of it is typical for a New Yorker who watched and listened from 100 miles away. It has a million threads that lead to where you're one or two steps removed from the flames and the falling people.

A few years after the attacks I was working in Paris. I overheard two French co-workers talking about that day, and one of them mentioned it as a Thursday. My head snapped around, and I said automatically and firmly, "It was Tuesday!" I remember explaining to them how deeply it is etched in our minds.