Every year in late August, enthusiastic reunions and muffled grumblings can be heard throughout City Lore's education department; our supposedly lengthy summer season of planning and organizing lasted a New York minute. Suddenly Labor Day was yesterday and school starts tomorrow!

And September is the same every year–each day swiftly passes as we hold planning meetings with teachers and artists, purchase art supplies for residencies, and design folk arts research projects for students. Yet September 11, 2001 was one of the longest days we've ever experienced. For months and months the fear and uncertainty of that day followed us as we took our arts programs to schools throughout New York City.

We seem to have more time this September. We relate to time differently. Today is the day—perhaps our only day—to create meaning, to share experiences, to get to know someone new, to teach, to learn, and to celebrate life lived in our great city.

This September we respectfully acknowledge the children who processed the events of 9/11 perhaps more profoundly and poetically and maturely than any of us.

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