nmah6430.xml

nmah6430.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2004-02-04

Please see my web site at :

http://joan-myerson-shrager.com/jms.pl?p=new

I have created a body of art work which I have worked on from that terrible day 9/11. It is called "Since 9/11." I am a professional digital artist . I feel that my work tells a story of the pain we have all experienced since 9/11. "America the Beautiful" was created as I watched TV on that fateful morning. All the others have been my way of expressing my feelings. I have written commentary about each work.

My son lives in NY. He was profoundly affected. As a matter of fact the first weekend after, we celebrated our 25th anniversary and he could only bring himself to visit us in Phila for several hours feeling the need to rush back to be with his fellow New Yorkers.

I have a sense of dread that I never had before. I am sad for my children and grandchildren. I grew up in the 50's and 60's and no matter what terrible events there were, I always felt the future would be better but now I am not confident of that. I lived in relative safety. We left our front door open, keys in the car etc. Now I have a sense of forboding.

My husband represents pro bono ( he's a trial lawyer) several families who lost family members so I continually hear about their pain.

That in one moment, our country's sense of invulnerability was lost forever. As I drove through California that next week and saw all the flags just as they were waving in Philadelphia I realized how much we were united in our love for our country.

After 9/11 people seemed gentler with each other, more compassionate more willing to communicate.

I lived with immigrant grandparents who adored this country. They expressed their patriotism almost every day. My grandfather stood at attention and saluted the flag. After 9/11, the flag brought tears to my eyes.