I Will Never Forget Featuring The 9.1.1. Rose At The NY Botanical Gardens

It has been 23 years since the horrible terrorist attacks on our nation occurred and my heart still hurts with grief. I had just started my job at Coty as the Sr. Director of Fragrance Development just one week earlier.

As soon as the first plane crashed into the North Tower, I immediately sensed that it was not an accident, but that the building was a target. I thought about the people who had gotten up that morning, had their breakfast and kissed their loved ones saying "see you later."

As soon as respite centers were formed, I signed up to volunteer at St. Paul's Chapel near where building No.7 stood. The first day I volunteered, I was given the post to stand outside to hand out markers to mourners who came from all over the world to write their condolences on the banners that hung on the black wrought iron gates around the chapel. No one was embarrassed to shed a tear and many were openly crying.  I received many hugs from people I had never met because we came together for the same purpose and all of us needed to be comforted. One family drove all the way up from Virginia with shovels to ask if they could go out onto the grounds and help dig (of course they were not allowed). On other days, I stood at the opening of the chapel to greet the iron workers, firemen, people from OSHA, the morgue, and anyone else who were allowed access. I gave out socks, chapstick, bandages and listened to their stories of what they had gone through that day. One fireman from Santa Barbara, CA used to stop and talk to me whenever I was there, and the last time I saw him, I bandaged his cut finger, and he told me he would be going back that day to rejoin his wife.  I asked him what his plans would be and thanked him for his service, and he responded. "I'm going to take my wife for a drive up the California coast because I've always wanted to do that." And I'm sure he did just that, and I hope he reads this blog, because that conversation has stuck with me for 23 years. 

Volunteering has always been a big part of my life and this particular time was the most fulfilling because it was a way of helping me get through my own grief and serve my country.

With every day I wake up, I thank god for what I have...my good health, a family, and my little company I built from passion and for compassion for others.

I will never forget.

The rose below is my own photograph of the 9.11 Rose that you can find at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. It is located in the famed Rose Garden. Its scent is pure, soft, and quiet.