Wednesday Morning on the Horizon

Like many children that grew up in New Jersey, Christine Fiorelli would frequently visit New York City with her family. Some of the most memorable visits were when she would go with her father, Stephen J. Fiorelli, to his office at the World Trade Center, where he worked for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as an engineer. She remembers holding her breath as they crossed under the Hudson River -- a tradition her father encouraged to keep the commute entertaining — and the incredible views from the 64th floor of the North Tower as she played near the windows.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Christine was just ten years old when the school secretary called her out of gym class to tell her she was leaving for the day. When she saw multiple family members in the school lobby, Christine immediately knew something was wrong. Christine would soon learn that terrorists had attacked the World Trade Center, where her father worked. Several days later, the family learned that Stephen was killed when the North Tower collapsed.

The attacks on 9/11 forever changed Christine’s life. She began navigating a new normal while experiencing a variety of emotions that, as a child, she did not have the ability to fully understand. Throughout this time, Christine found comfort in journaling, and she eventually attended therapy to process her complicated emotions. Along the way, Christine reached a turning point in her grieving process. She remembers that “the end for my dad was a few hours one Tuesday morning... [but] there were thousands of incredible moments that made up his life. Happy, sad, and every emotion in between. He lived.” When describing this shift in mindset, she said, “Wednesday morning was on the horizon.”

Wednesday Morning: Growing Up in Grief became the title of Christine’s memoir, which was released in 2024. Within her book, Christine explores how 9/11 became a point of “before and after” in her life. She also speaks about how grief after an event like September 11th is experienced differently as a child, and how healing from that is a lifelong journey. In terms of what “Wednesday morning” looks like for her, Christine has found that moments of light have been and continue to be found in raising her two daughters. While the way forward is still being paved, she remains dedicated to it. Recently, Christine decided to visit One World Observatory in the new One World Trade Center. Reunited with the views she once marveled at from his father’s office window, it was a reminder that while life can be dark, it can also go on.

This September, participants around the world can see Christine share her story, in her own words, as a part of the 2025 Anniversary Digital Learning Experience program. Register for this free program today.

By Meghan Kolbusch, Education Specialist