At age 19, I went on a job interview for the State of New York. I was young and did not even comprehend the interview I had.

At that time, I was not very aware of anyone else other than my own needs and wants. It was a surprise when I got a letter to report for work in downtown New York. My travel from Queens to Manhattan wasn't new. I must have travel on the trains at least a thousand times. What was new was this building of which when I worked I only viewed from the inside, Tower 2 the World Trade Center.

It was thoroughly modern, express elevators would take you from the lobby level to the 44th floor. There were restaurants, newspaper stands, and even some retail stores. I took a second elevator from the 44th floor to the 45 or 46 floor to the office in which I worked.

Over the next five years, my life was changing. I moved into my first apartment, I got my first bank loan, my first credit card, experienced my first promotion, the first ATM machine, threw my first party, first pets and the first time I learned to completely take care of myself. I made many friends there, watched King Kong being assembled on the outside of the building while they were shooting the movie. Each day I went on the train and went to work at the Trade Center.

I watched the tight rope walker waltz across the two towering buildings. The views were spectacular, on a clear day you can see New Jersey, the shores of the Hudson and the Atlantic Ocean, and the Majestic Statue of Liberty.

When 9/11 happened and I was informed, I could not believe it. My thoughts raced back to those years wondering, I pray, that no one I knew was there. How could this be, not here, not in the greatest country in the world? I was somber, upset, angry, worried and grief stricken. My company allowed us to go home and check on those that may be affected by such tragedy. Of course, I instinctively called home spoke to my mother and other relatives that had gathered on this eventful day. My family was alright.

Yet I still realized I didn't know if any of my old friends or co-workers, were still working there. I searched all the lists and the photos and none that I knew by name or face were posted. Though I still grieve for those lost, our fallen brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers, we were robbed of their contributions and joy that they brought to there families and communities.

Today I made a decision to remember the good times. The smiles that I had gotten, the lunches shared with friends, the songs we sang and music we heard at the center. Maybe the buildings no longer stand, but the beautiful souls that were there, the things I experienced, blessed me to find strength in change and to fear no evil.

Vengeance is not mine to give. No, the only thing I can do is just to do the best that I can, in the time that has been given me. No more, no less could I expect from myself or anyone else. Let the government do what they will, let those who oppose us do what they will. I refuse to give energy to those that oppose us my thoughts will always remain with my home, New York what a town! Her spirit lives on now, her celebrations will always fill my memories and no one will ever take that away from me.