En-route to and from my job in Northern NJ, I've always enjoyed clear view of the Manhattan skyline. Occassionally I would glance at it and many times not even take notice, it was such a familiar part of the daily routine.

Yesterday driving home, and again this morning going back to work, I took it in every chance I got. There, as always, was the Empire State Building. Several miles to the south, where the Twin Towers used to be, was a billowing cloud of smoke and dust. I found myself wishing I could go back in time just 24 hours, to take in one more look at something I had always taken completely for granted.

This isn't merely about the loss of a landmark; it's is about much more than that. I think that the great Paul Harvey, in his daily radio comments, put it more perfectly than I could ever dream....

"Hug your children closely. Behind their facade of bravado, they have been raped."

I also wholeheartedly agree w/ JGeoff's statement that this will NOT make NYC less great than it was. The spirit of the city and those who live/work there is invincible, and it WILL rise from this madness, quite possibly with a level of greatness than it didn't have before.

Apples