Calm in Calamity

ANOTHER PAST POST

Like countless New Yorkers, Wendy Bounds was displaced on September 11th, 2001. Bounds was forced from her home and lost countless possessions, but she weaves a remarkably heartwarming story in her book, Little Chapel on the River. Bounds’ most impressive characteristic is her composure, which shows readers how to properly react in the face of any life altering event. Bounds was merely blocks from the World Trade Center when the Twin Towers fell, but she stayed collected in the midst of such confusion and physical danger; Bounds remains calm and helps distressed citizens by distributing Gatorade and water from the back of a delivery truck instead of jumping into the river, which she admits was tempting. Bounds does not give into fear or her emotions during the attacks. Rather, she stays composed and realistic by helping others and attempting to move forward with her life as quickly as possible. In reading Little Chapel on the River, one realizes that Bounds’ resolve helps her endure the violence and heartbreak of September 11th, as well as enables her to cope with the way in which her life irrevocably changes following the attacks. Bounds approaches her living situation in Garrison, New York with the same poise that she displays on September 11th. Although Bounds immediately falls into the good graces of Jim Guinan, her relationship with Jim’s daughter, Maggie, takes longer to develop. Although Bounds admits she was afraid of Maggie, she does not become defensive towards Maggie. Instead of disliking Maggie for her fiery demeanor and suspicious behavior, Bounds is patient with Maggie and tries to understand the hardships Maggie has endured. Throughout the book Bounds’ patience allows her to cope with less than desirable circumstance, and find a new place in the post-9/11 world. Bounds’ composure finds her a new home, new friends, and ultimately a new family that shows her “what really matters most.”