Sorry for the weird screen shot, but this is just the most wild thing. That sad woman above is me. It was taken about a week after 9/11. If u look behind me I am standing in from of the Stock Exchange. I am holding a banana and a cup of oatmeal is in the bag. I was reading a copy of the NY Daily News about the fact that Rudy may seek a third term as mayor. That morning a photographer stopped me. She asked me if I minded if she took my picture. She was documenting people down on Wall Street going back to work. I said sure, no problem. And she snapped away. A few months later there was an art show called "Here Is New York". It was an exhibit of many photos that captured the moments before and after those planes hit. I received a call from my friend Beth who said her brother saw my picture at this exhibit. I had no idea what picture or the what heck he was talking about. But sure enough...I saw for myself. There I was. It was the picture above. I ended up purchasing a few copies and it hangs in my living room today. A year or so later I get together with the same friend Beth and her brother. He said I saw your picture on the cover of a book! I said, what he heck are u talking about. They had actually taken all the photos from the art show and put it into a book. And sure enough, I was part of a collage of photos on the cover. So....that brings us to tonite. Lori and I were "farting" around online. Just googling people we know...I know we really need to get a life. We googled me and a link in french came up. I said, that's not me...but Lori persisted and we find that this photograph made the cover of the Musee' de l'Eysse'' catalog in 2002. It's probably the worst picture ever of me. I am graying, sad, drained and depressed. But I also know how far I 've come. We should never ever forget what happened to us on 9/11. I will always have this incredible photo to document this moment in time. I emailed the photographer tonite to let her know that I am absolutely still standing!
PS I got a response from the photographer!
Dear Wendi -
Thank you for writing. I am so happy to hear that you are doing well and that the photograph has meaning for you. I think that's the best
a photograph can do in the world.
All best wishes, and congratulations on the baby. You're about to fall in love. How wonderful.
suzanne
Thank you for writing. I am so happy to hear that you are doing well and that the photograph has meaning for you. I think that's the best
a photograph can do in the world.
All best wishes, and congratulations on the baby. You're about to fall in love. How wonderful.
suzanne
5 comments:
Only one word: WOW!
Wen - Jodi here from Kathmandu. I want you to do one thing for me - when you finally hold little Lia- Rose in your arms for the very first time, take a picture and capture that special moment. Life is full of special moments - and your very special one is coming. You guys are always in my prayers! Suzanne is right - you are about to fall in love, over and over and over and over again!!
Wow is what also came to my mind!
We were living in NY on 9/11 - I'll never forget that day.
Oh, Wendi I think that picture is extrodinary! It's amazing you have this to document that horrific tragedy.
I didn't know you were famous. Can we still meet?
Hi Wendi... In that picture, you're standing in a spot I ran by when the first tower was falling. I was running from the giant cloud of burning dust and debris, trying to find a place to hide. I eventually ended up ducking into a stairwell behind the very building you're standing on the corner of. Although the circumstances surrounding the picture are inexplicably sad, I wish I'd had a picture taken of me right afterwards, on that same path I ran to save my life. I'd have liked to be able to reflect on that time, and see how changed (for the better) a person I am today because of it.
Hugs to you sister... see you soon :)
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