Reflections on 9/11 and the Healing Power of Flowers

Liberty Plaza, Dust and Memory

On September 11, 2001, Liberty Plaza near the World Trade Center became a grim symbol, covered in dust and debris. Susan Meiselas captured the chilling aftermath in her photos. Yet, twenty-five years later, what haunts is not just the physical remnants, but the memory of the clear blue sky that peeked through the smoke, a reminder of the space where the towers once stood.

The Emotional Connection to Flowers

My personal experience on that terrible day is intertwined with the floral industry. At the time, I worked in New York’s upscale floral business, a job that allowed me entry to the city’s opulence, including Windows on the World in the North Tower. Despite the proximity to devastation, I was spared the loss of close ones.

Yet it was flowers that became an emblem of grief and hope for me. Weeks later, I helped adorn the Cathedral of St. John the Divine with blue hydrangeas and delphiniums during a memorial for restaurant employees lost in the attacks. This association with flowers has remained, coloring my memories of that period.

Life and Loss

Time has moved on, and life has evolved since then. I have taken new jobs, moved homes, and cherished many moments. From marrying and teaching my stepsons to facing personal losses, life has been a bittersweet journey. The global pandemic put me in unexpected circumstances again, mirroring the implausibility of my presence at Windows on the World just before 9/11.

The City That Speaks

I came to New York from Ohio with ambitions to write. What truly drew me was the city’s vibrant landscape, offering both anonymity and community amidst its urban sprawl. Over time, this city not only challenged but taught me the importance of finding silence amid chaos. My encounters with the city’s spirit have been as much about absorbing noise as embracing quiet.

The Floral Business

Working in floral design introduced me to a world beyond journalism. Despite its challenges, from handling foliage to dealing with demanding clients, the allure of flowers always captivated me. Terms like ‘lisianthus’ and ‘delphinium’ enchanted me more than any journalistic jargon ever did.

Though I loved flowers, I often struggled with the attitudes of customers willing to spend extravagantly on beauty. Yet the part-time job offered me a unique vantage point that would later connect profoundly with 9/11.

Reflection and Grief

The morning of September 11 brought unimaginable horror. From my apartment, I watched the World Trade Center ablaze. A plane crashed into the second tower, and as smoke billowed, the building vanished to reveal a startling blue void.

Amidst panic, I turned to mundane tasks, eventually learning the fate of many. Seventy-three restaurant employees were lost, including those who worked in familiar spaces. The studio team dismantled exuberant arrangements meant for Windows on the World, a small act amid collective mourning.

A Heartfelt Memorial

Weeks later, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine hosted a memorial service filled with emotions. We crafted extravagant floral pieces, grappling with the immense loss. Amid grief, I met strangers, adding layers to my remembrance of the day.

Consuming Grief Through Words

In the wake of the catastrophe, my coping mechanism became the consumption of every report about the tragedy. The New York Times chronicled stories of those who perished, including moments before the collapse, deepening my understanding of the enormity and intimacy of the disaster.

Flowers offered solace and symbolism. As I learned of how staff used the flowers to calm themselves in their harrowing situation, my connection to the floral business deepened.

Vanished Worlds

On the eve of September 11th, I immersed myself in the tranquility and beauty of the moment, unconscious of the impending loss. The vistas from the heights of the towers offered peace amid the bustling cityscape.

Yet by Tuesday, the tranquil world I knew was gone. Life would persist, but the memory of that day remains etched in blue, flowers, and the resilience of New York City.

Andrea Louie continues her journey, working with Asian communities in New York as an Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Serica Initiative. She reflects on these events, contributing to literature that captures the complexity and diversity of experiences, including her work on Moon Cakes and Topography of War: Asian American Essays.