Hearts and thoughts, they fade away

 

 

Sorry to disrupt the levity. But you remember where you were three years ago today. You were gasping for reason and watching CNN.

 

There is a small barrier island in New Jersey named Sandy Hook. On clear days it offers a stunning view of the NYC skyline. Hell, we can see the Coney Island parachute tower and the JFK traffic control tower from here after the morning mist burns. Let alone the skyscrapers.

 

Trouble was, three years ago today was as beautiful then as it is now. Unimpeded vision on a 2:00 compass point to the northeast. I was on my way to surf fish for some striper when I heard the news. I hit the Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge in time to see the first puff of smoke. It looked like a puff, anyway, from 20 crow-fly miles. It was an ungodly, body-vaporizing blast from all hell of hells.

 

Six urgent news alerts and six miles later, I got to the Sandy Hook north beach. I carried my chair, fishing pole and camera to the surf. I brought the camera by reflex to document any fish catch. Who knew, at that point? I dropped my stuff to see the puff turn into a black cloud. Someone had a radio on. Strangers were talking to each other. All began getting nervous. No one was fishing, surfing or swimming. We were 100 human sundials pointed at Manhattan.

 

Time went by. An F-16 screamed by. The black cloud shuddered and grew immense. It was over our heads now. Unreal. Tower down. Chills. Tears. Screams. Sobbing grief. How many? Who? Radio. Cloud visibly pulsing and pluming. Another tower. Urgency like never before. Snapped some pictures. There was already a memorial started in Red Bank by the time I got back home.

 

Do you feel as safe as you did before that day? Do you have the clarity? I don’t. I saw it live from a great distance before I retreated to the tele. I have the pics taken by my own hand to prove it.

 

Always, always, always kiss and wish your loved ones well before they leave the threshold.