My old office had a lovely view of the Empire State Building, and behind it the twin towers. I used to climb out my window onto a little balcony and take pictures of the city with my polaroid camera. I loved seeing how the sky changed during the day and how the light reflected off the other buildings.  I felt lucky to have such a wonderful view.

A few weeks after I took this polaroid, I climbed out onto the balcony again. Smoke was billowing out the towers. I got a call out to my mom in California to tell her I was okay. While we were talking, I watched the first tower crumble and fall. I said "Mom, the tower... it's gone." And she said "No, no.. I'm watching the news right now and it's standing."   "No mom, it's gone."  I had seen it fall with my own eyes. 

I wish I had had the foresight to grab my polaroid camera and snap one more photo with the towers standing. Even as it was happening, I never believed they would actually come down.