I’ve been taking Kat Sloma’s self-study course, A Sense of Place, and it’s making me think more about the icons of a place.

Here in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, the obvious icon is the clock tower in the center of Main Street. At any given time of day you will find many tourists photographing it – not an easy task. It is very tall and stands in the middle of a street, busy with cars and tourists. As Kat recommended, I have been photographing it from all angles and at different times of day. The focus is often on the clock piece, yet this tower is also a cenotaph or war memorial.

It’s a place of remembrance. 

Today, I went to a ceremony there to remember all those lost in the attacks of 9/11. It gave new meaning to this icon as a gathering place to remember.

Being a border and tourist town, there were many Americans in Niagara-on-the-Lake on that day twelve years ago. The people here opened up their homes for those who couldn’t cross the border for several days.

Apparently, this is the only community in Canada to still hold a ceremony on this day. And, a beautiful and emotional ceremony it was. The police, fire, and emergency personnel were well represented and some had to leave for calls during the ceremony. I’m so glad I went.

Twelve years ago, I was living in the U.S. and remember clearly the horror I felt, especially during the time when no one knew what was happening. My kids were young and in school and I had no idea what they were doing or being told.

Later, it seemed that almost everyone I spoke to had some connection to someone who died that day. Our lives and countries are intertwined in ways we can’t even imagine.

Rilke’s words for today from the book, A Year with Rilke, are so appropriate. They seem written for the occasion.

Dear Darkening Ground, you’ve endured so patiently the walls we’ve built, perhaps you’ll give the cities one more hour and grant the churches and cloisters two. And those that labor—let their work grip them another five hours, or seven, before you become forest again, and water and widening wilderness in that hour of inconceivable terror when you take back your name from all things. Just give me a little more time! I want to love the things as no one has thought to love them, until they’re worthy of you and real. ~ A Year With Rilke from The Book of Hours

More on Icons of Experience from Patricia Turner (A Photographic Sage)

A previous post – Keep Telling Stories – Empathy and 9/11