"Pick Yourself Up" From "Songs Spun of Gold," by Elli Fordyce

I resided 2 blocks from the WTC from '87-2007. The song I've requested is by me, was released in 2008 when I was 71 years old, and says it all about recovery.

I was home on the day of, evacuated and not permitted to return till 11 days later. I left with only my wallet, the clothes on my back and my Yorkie. Returning, we lived in a war zone for most of the next year, at one point not having any food available within a 45-minute walk, with no public transportation available, until the Red Cross began bringing snacks and water a few days after. One of my friends, coming back to sign up for Red Cross assistance, nearly fainted because he'd forgotten to eat before he left to come into the area and there was nothing to do about it. My roommate went for a run on 9/23 and brought back a can of coffee and a few basics from a deli he found somewhere. It was a crazy time for all of us, even after the horrific event itself. Personally, my income was dependant on freelancing for other residents, 99% of them only slowly returned over weeks and months. I was so lucky in that services were put in place to help and individual folks went beyond the call on the day of and immediately after for those of us who were refugees. What doesn't kill you makes your stronger, thus my choice: "Pick Yourself UP."

Elli Fordyce