next in nyc

after grabbing some pizza (i was STARVING, but i could've kept on goin'; i was thrilled to be on the streets of New York) at a local place down a side street--can't remember the name now; that's the problem with blogging about a trip almost 3 months later--and boy, was it ever tasty(!), Andy had to head back to her office. hence, two crazy SAHMs from Utah (not that i'm from Utah; i'll never be FROM Utah!!) were left to venture the SUPER CITY on their own..! i felt intimidated, but oh so excited. we headed back toward the Ground Zero area, since i had a bee in my bonnet about checking out St. Paul's Church. well, a big THANK YOU to Angie (one of Jeanine's scrapbooking friends whom i've met a couple of times) for the recommendation!! i am very grateful we had the opportunity to experience this museum of sorts, dedicated to 9/11...

i think old churches are so beautiful...
as soon as we walked in, i could feel a special vibe...
did you know that George Washington worshiped a time or two at this church??

i was struck with the INTENSITY of seeing these photos, posters, etc. up close and personal. as if 9/11 wasn't real enough for me before. my goodness... how riveting. how heartbreaking.

so many faces vanished (and still others instantaneously aged, so many lives sacrificed (and still others altered), so many hearts quieted (and still others permanently wounded)...
there was an almost PALPABLE feeling of love and patriotism and respect...

there were SO many things sent from all over the country and all over the world after this tragedy...i saw a glimpse of genuine unity...these origami chains were sent over from Japan, and this shot is just a portion of them; AWESOME.