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TODAY'S TOPIC:
Two Years
After the Attack
by
Natalia J. Garland
Print Version
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September, 2003, brings us to the second anniversary of the
attacks on America. I will not approach this topic politically,
but will attempt to put some feelings into perspective. Most of
us have probably moved beyond the overwhelming feelings of shock
and grief. Let us go back and reconstruct, from a two-year
vantage point, what we were experiencing on September 11, 2001.
Shortly after the
attacks on our country, I received a letter from the Metropolitan
Museum of Art. The letter is an expression of comfort and
solidarity. I also received similar letters from other
organizations with which I am affiliated. People seemed to feel
the need to reach out and draw one another together through the
written word. Letters seem to connote official commitment. They
are documents that can be referred to for verification. I kept
these letters because, perhaps like the senders, I needed to feel
a sense of belonging and togetherness. The letter I received from
the Metropolitan Museum (located in New York City) was especially
eloquent, and I would like to share it with you. It is dated
September 20, 2001.
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Dear Members and
Friends,
In this
extraordinarily difficult and painful time for our city and our
country, we would like to express our heartfelt concern to you.
First, to those
among you who have lost family or friends in the recent tragedy,
the entire staff and Board of Trustees of the Metropolitan Museum
extend our condolences and support.
The Metropolitan's
fundamental mission has always been and will continue to be to
celebrate the very highest achievements of humankind, and to
provide for the public an enduring place of beauty, strength, and
hope. Over our 131-year history, the Museum has offered many
generations of Americans inspiration, even in the gravest of
crises. We hope that you, too, will look to the Metropolitan for
the spirit of renewal so essential to our municipal and national
recovery.
The role of
institutions such as ours, as places of continuity, permanence,
reflection, and advancement, becomes ever more important in such
times of tragedy. We are proud to provide to all our visitors
from around the world a positive experience that nourishes the
human spirit. As members of the Met family, we know you share
this sentiment.
To enlighten,
inspire, awe, and ultimately, to help heal--that is our
responsibility and the essence of our work. By remaining
committed to this goal, the Metropolitan Museum will continue to
be a testament to the indomitable spirit of our nation, and of
humankind.
We thank you for
your continued dedication to these
efforts.
[End of letter.]
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The letter is signed
by Philippe de Montebello, Director, and by David E. McKinney,
President.
Obviously, I
continue to appreciate the gift of time and reflection that it
took to write and mail the above letter. On a deeper level, I
continue to appreciate living in a country where we are still free
to express our feelings and opinions, and free to disagree with
and learn from one another. The freedom of self-expression enables
us to comfort, to be creative, and to journey toward a meaningful
future a day at a time. (Written 09/01/03)
Until we meet
again....... .......stay sane.
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