On August 11, 2001, my family dined at Windows on the World, a restaurant at the top of the World Trade Center’s North tower. Though I was not then into food, and I recall eating about two bites of my meal, I can still remember each detail of the experience. The sun set as we ate; the city stretched out far beneath us; fireworks even went off in the sky, level with our eyes.
The observation deck, for a fuller view of Manhattan’s expanse, was located in the other tower. We discussed going up there, but determined that we were all too tired. We’d go another time.
Of course, we never got the chance.
comfort breakfast: oats with cooked peach, raisins, chia seeds, and peanut butter
I believe that food can be many things. It brings people together, tells stories of their traditions and their cultures, reminds us of memories, whether melancholy or bright. It can be a comfort when tragedy shakes our worlds.
I remember that I didn’t eat lunch that afternoon in 2001. I remember the lull in cafeteria chatter, the frustration as my high school administration didn’t allow students to use the pay phones to call their families, many of whom worked in the city. I remember my walk home from school that afternoon, and again, not eating a snack when I arrived in my kitchen. I was full from the terror an hour south of my town.
comfort mug: hot almond milk, unsweetened cocoa powder, agave
That evening, my parents and I ate dinner in front of the television. I can see my plate of white pasta, garlic, and oil on the low coffee table, and though I know I ate it, I can’t recall the taste. In retrospect, my bland staple food of that era seems appropriate.
Currently, I live just a few blocks over from the World Trade Center site. When I used to run along the west side, I would see the Hudson to my left and a hole in the sky to my right. Walking to Whole Foods for a few groceries, I weave through the tourists photographing the cavity in the pavement. Life goes on, for better or worse.
Perhaps fixating on food seems unfitting. It’s a small thing, but it is a piece of each and every one of my memories. I am thankful, at the least, for the freedom in this country, that allows such a tiny nuance to matter at all.
Does food play a role in your sadder memories?
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Since Hurricane Katrina, anything in a can reminds me of what we lived off off after our world fell apart. I associate all things canned with hurricane food. As you now, the four year anniversary date of Katrina was a couple weeks ago.
Your words are true:
“It brings people together, tells stories of their traditions and their cultures, reminds us of memories, whether melancholy or bright. It can be a comfort when tragedy shakes our worlds.”
I associate every event with food. Maybe it’s partly because everything my family does revolve around food, or my own fixations/obsessinons, but every memory I have, whether good or bad, is linked in to a meal.
I don’t associate much food with events, although in chinese culture we have special food for each festival. I dunno… maybe I’m too long away from home! :)
Yes….. I remember what I ate that day…. I blogged about it this morning. Check me out. I find it fascinating hearing everyone’s stories from that morning. I’m glad you shared yours.
-A
I was thinking for a long time about any bad food memories and apart from my eating disorder I don’t have any bad memories, only good ones, like Birthdays etc.
Wow, I can’t believe you had been in that very building just one month prior. That’s crazy…can you believe its been 8 years?
You my dear…write an amazing blog…you’ve given food blogging a poetic and beautiful meaning!
Maggie
I actually don’t remember what I ate that day. A lot of food memories are a blur. Thanks for sharing your memories.
Ditto what maggie wrote.
I completely agree that food is more than just fuel – it draws people together in both good and bad times. Even during sadder times, food can lighten up the mood – say at a hospital visit, lunching with friends to de-stress from work, etc.
That’s so crazy that you were there a month before. I remember going to a party when I was little on the top of one of the towers. I think it was the same one you ate at. This is a beautiful post. I remember being in high school when the announcement came over the loud speaker and my teacher just looked at everyone and smiled and then went back to teaching. Thankfully, my brother was a teacher at my school and came to pull me out of class. I didn’t know anyone in the towers that day but like you, I lived an hour north of the city. My boyfriend and I have gone down to see the lights for the past 3 years. We missed it this year because we moved to Albany.
Hi Leslie!
This is such a great post. I also grew up very close to the city, and 9/11 always hits a chord with me. My mom worked in the Trade Center years ago, and we’re always so thankful she wasn’t still there that day.
I’ve been following your blog for a while now, and I really love it! My boyfriend and I just started one of our own, and I’d love it if you would check us out some time.
Have a great day!
Another beautiful post. I agree with Ellie, in that food is always linked to a memory somehow. However, I don’t remember a thing about what I ate on 9/11.
For me, a lot of my “sadder” memories are ED related, so of course I remember the food. At that point, it wasn’t really used for comfort, but as medicine, and so it took on a whole new meaning.