I was in Spain on September 11th, 2001, but everyone here talks about
what a beautiful day it was in New York: bright sunshine and a
brilliant blue sky. Just like today.
I made my way uptown to St. Bartholomew’s, the Episcopal church I usually go to, for mass and a performance of Faure’s Requiem. The music and the service were beautiful, and the church was completely full. The last hymn was the Navy hymn,
with some funky modern and not-too-eloquent words, obviously written
for September 11th. That music always makes me think of Kennedy’s
funeral (which, by the way, I don’t remember, but have heard recordings
of 😉 For the postlude, there was Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, during
which I and plenty of other people wept copiously. Contrary to
everything my grandmother Della taught me, I had no handkerchief, nor
any Kleenex, so it was all a bit of a mess.
Tonight, dinner with friends, which must be the order of the day on every September 11th. We will reminisce and remember.