Only the memories remain

By John Laxmi

NEW YORK, SEPT. 24. Nearly a fortnight since our slumbering world was awakened to a nightmare, there is no trace of over six thousand reported missing. The best guess is that they were all cremated and pulverised within an hour of the towers collapsing. A unique mass cremation, the like of which the world has never seen.

Among those missing was Gino. Gino was 34. His sister, Gabriella and mother, Emma, live in our neighbourhood. Gino and his wife, Chris, lived in the town next to ours. Gabriella had to call the police once for assistance because Emma became uncontrollable. Emma kept trying to run away from home in search of her missing son. But, Chris and Gabriella have reconciled to the inevitable conclusion: Gino is no more. We had a memorial service for Gino at St. Joseph's parish. Over two hundred friends and relatives streamed in to the church and poured their grieving hearts out in prayer songs.

Last month, I visited a cousin in India whose 20-year- old son was killed in an automobile accident. Following his son's cremation, someone brought to him the urn of ashes that his dear son had been reduced to. My cousin said there were moments when he felt like hurling the urn at the picture of the Lord he worships.

To Emma, though, an urn of ashes would have been great consolation. If only she could get an urn of ashes, even an ounce of ashes; anything, identified as Gino's remains. She wants something, anything, that is a part of Gino. She got nothing. No trace of her son or his remains. As Gino's family and friends grieved, there was no wake, there was no casket.

Our town of Rutherford held a prayer vigil to remember all the lost souls and to pray for the injured and grieving. Nearly three hundred residents showed up with candles and yellow ribbons and prayed for healing and comfort. There are similar vigils and services being held all across America. To remember the thousands who were vaporised. Thousands who perished leaving behind nothing but memories.

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Section  : International
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