Florida in the Shadow of Twin Towers, Part 1

October 30th, 2001, while living in South Florida with my contractor husband ,we were shopping at the local Winn Dixie.

This grocery store is a cross between Tops Market and Price Chopper here in New York.

I held tight to my grocery list (my husband is constantly distracted by things not on the list and other people). I just wanted to shop and go home.

We headed towards the check out and while standing in line, my husband announced to me, " Why don't we give her a ride home?". As usual I have another 'whole conversation I missed' look on my face, I just said , " Who?".

He gestured towards a demure ,dark haired lady wearing a black outfit in the front of the line. She was lifting first one and then another red poinsettia flower plant into her small cart. Her gait was slow and careful and her eyes were sombre. She seemed to be there alone.

I just hit my husband on the shoulder and whispered, " That woman has someone driving

her probably waiting in the parking lot , so stop staring. Otherwise you' re acting like a stalker! "

We got through our line and loaded our bags in our mini van . We both watched as the lady in black , slowly moved across the parking lot towards a townhouse development way

on the other side of the plaza. She didn't appear to have a car or anyone waiting.

As my husband kept driving in her direction, I got more and more upset. " She knows where she is going. ! "

" We should offer her a ride !". He barked back at me insistently.

I then decided he should park, and let me approach her, and ask her if she wanted help getting home. Getting up my courage to talk to a stranger ( not my strong suit) ,I walked towards her . Once at her side, I imagined myself a giant , hovering over her hardly 5' 1" frame.

" Excuse me miss? Do you need a ride home ? If you are near here, we can get you there on our way home. ( pointing ) That is our van ." I then fully expected she would shut me down but she said,

" Well, how thoughtful! Then she looked ahead, imagining her remaining steps perhaps. " I'm just in Silver Gates, last Town House develoment, but there's a few hills." I still could feel she was troubled that we'd go out of our way.

" It's no problem, " , I blurted breaking the silence, "My husband and I just finished shopping, and we have time to get you over there, no problem. We have room in our van, two extra seats, for your plants too! " . I finished my words , softly as possible and she then grasped my hand .

" It's so kind of you to offer, and it would save my legs too. " I smiled and gestured for my husband who was thrilled , to approach us.

Once we were all inside, she gave my husband directions and we also learned that her name was Maria. Down the road, we also learned that her son had perished in one of the fallen towers of 9/11.

An innocent question that triggered her confession was simply, " Do you have any children? "

As she gripped the side of my front seat, memories rushed to the surface. " My son was an investment advisor , 32nd floor of Tower 2. He called me after the first tower was down. " Don't worry , Mom, police are all over on the ground. We hear them! They will be working their way up to us. Mom , I love you... ohhh god!"

Maria's face shook, and a tear made it's way down her cheek. " The phone went dead, and in the background, just an explosion and then silence. It's the last time I talked with Enrique."

A black iron wrought gate opened when Maria pressed her small remote. We drove up a small incline to park near her door.

I asked, " May we help bring your plants and groceries in?"

Maria's sad eyes perked up a bit. " If you can, of course, I can pay you. It was so kind for you to help me. No one has done that for me for a long time".

I looked at my husband and he was shaking his head. " We don't need any money , it's fine." I said.

"Well, can I offer you soda, coffee or tea at least that? " Maria almost insisted.

" Thank you, "I replied , but we are going to make early dinner when we get home, and we are fine just helping. You don't need to make us anything !"

My husband nodded in the direction of a decorated mantel in the dining room. As we set down her plants on the tables, our eyes fixed on a young boy

who appeared in a series of pictures taken over time displayed there.

Maria noted our curiosity , and she spoke with pride. " Enrique loved to ride horses, and playing baseball when he was young. Here he is just moving to New York. "

" Have you invited family here? You have a beautuful house. And is this your special memorial for Enrique ? I'm sorry for all my questions!" I wondered suddenly if silence might be the best response.

Maria just let out a small laugh. "Well in my culture, Mexican, we celebrate dias des los muertas . Called by you " Day of the Dead". We celebrate the lives of those who have died, with pictures and things that bring good memories .It is suppose to help the survivors find peace. "

Somehow I could feel myself sigh, I'm sure it wasn't fatigue, but a sense of grief. One woman to another.

Maria's eyes lit up for the first time since we drove her home.

" Well, if you wouldn't accept money or coffee, what are your favorite foods ?"

I smiled because that I could answer.

" Well for me, it's lobster, asparagus and any kind of cheese or cake! For him salmon and beets and cheeses, yuchhh! But the seafood are luxury items, for special occasions only!" My husband smirked and laughed.

For some reason , I forgot I had just met this lady.

" Well", as Maria put the two plants like bookends on her mantel, " You both will have to come to dinner on Sunday , say 6:00 ?

But you will come dressed up, please?

Can you come to Sunday dinner?"

My husband graciously accepted

" We will be there , Maria. !"

Maria was writing on a small post it.

" Here is my number. Call me when you are a few minutes away. So I open the gate for you," I took the post it, smiling and feeling very lucky.

After she came forward to hug me, all I could muster during that brief embrace was, " Sunday at 6! Thank you so much!"

She walked us out and we were silent all the way home.

You never know where an act of kindness may lead. With everything that can backfire and explode, there is a quiet, insistant opportunity to make things better for people that pass through darkness.

Which is all of us.

"