Windows 2002, Version 9/11

Walking down Fifth Avenue, Madison and Lexington Avenues on Sept. 11, exactly one year after the tragic event, one can’t help but admire the American spirit.

The windows of the leading retail shops beautifully expressed messages of hope, courage, unity and strength in the most creative and artistic way.

Bloomingdale’s, for example, had its entire building lit with red, white and blue colors and it’s a sight to behold at night. Its window was dedicated to 9/11 with a beautiful story line depicting the youth, the future, the nation in a collage of picturesque sketches.

Cartier was very elegant with a pot of all-red roses displayed in the window. The Nine West window was very minimal but very creative nevertheless with the message: "We remember our American heroes." Saks Fifth had the most understated window with just a huge flower arrangement and the US flag beside it. Diesel was spunky with a grafitti-like design carrying the words "We Love NY." Banana Republic, Gap, Barneys, Henri Bendel, H&M, and a lot more contributed their share in commemorating 9/11. Most of the buildings had US flags raised. Even the street bargain shops expressed their thoughts and feelings through placards plastered on their stalls.

The best message I witnessed, however, was when I saw New Yorkers flocking to St. Patrick’s Cathedral to participate in a high noon Mass. Never before had I seen the church that packed.