Other survivors, moved by presence and prayer...

Photo by Todd Heisler: The New York Times
(Click on image for larger version of this scene at Ground Zero)

"ned," a faithful reader and frequent commenter, has sent me the picture above and the following words which I'm very pleased to pass on to all of you:

I wanted to share this picture from the pope's visit with some other "survivors".... those who survived 9-11... The woman in the center of the survivors (black suit, red scarf) is a friend I met through a class we are both taking.

When I saw her this week, she spoke poignantly about how this opportunity to pray with the pope at Ground Zero, to have him firmly grasp her hand and address her individually, provided the peace, the ability to finally begin to move forward and the closure that has eluded her all these years.

She also shared with me that while the families of victims have been invited to Ground Zero on a few occasions, this was the first time that survivors had ever been invited. It was clearly a powerful and healing experience for her.

While I personally held little hope for this papal visit it has changed me and left me bathed in hope.

-ned