It's been almost six months since September 11th, but the world hasn't settled on its foundations yet. Like most of us, I'll never forget watching on my television as the Twin Towers collapsed in mountains of fire and ash, suffocating the people within and those who fled through the streets of New York. They say it's still raining the ashes of those who died that day.

What do you do with that kind of shock and grief? A lot of churches opened their doors that day. I was asked to provide music at my church, for anyone who showed up seeking comfort and refuge in prayer. Amid bouquets of white roses and carnations, I played quietly during a simple service. I played as we wept for the dead; I played as we prayed for the survivors. And I dreamed that in churches all over the country, thousands of other musicians were doing the same, offering up their songs for all the innocent souls.

by Siu Wai Stroshane    swstroshane@cs.com