On 9/11, they lost their son (25 years old). He was on the job for one week and he was a painter on the roof of one of the towers.

Before they found remains, I went to the first memorial at our local church. The whole neighborhood showed up and they had his photo blown up on the church altar. That was the saddest thing I ever saw.

Then, when they found some of the remains, she had a funeral (with closed coffin). That was about 6 months after the memorial.

I was with her for the whole thing. She explained how they called her up and she went down and they had photos to show her. The lady who had the photos begged her not to look. I said "did you look"? and she said" "No".

The lady who showed her the photos broke down.

As she was telling me this on the corner of my block, I broke down because who on earth can listen to what this woman went through and not break down?

They all had substance abuse problems before 9/11.

It only got worse after that day.

How sad.

Mel