Of course the effects of that day five years ago touched me. But not nearly as much as so many other people. Living in California, I didn’t feel the geographic effects. I didn’t know anyone who lost their life, personally. In those respects I thank God. But it’s hard to do that when so many lives were changed forever.
Because I’m empathetic, I tend to stay away from the news and such. ESPECIALLY before bed. But, every year now, I force myself to watch at least one program devoted to the attacks. Because I need to remember.
I’m honoring Tatiana Ryjova of South Salem, N.Y. as part of the 2,996 tributes. She was 36.
Some comments left on memorial sites…
10/06/2002 11:00:53 AM
…….I saw your photo on the BBC news site,and realised the great sadness of such a cruel loss.A beautiful woman,mother of two sons,(9 and 15),who sought with husband Vasily to make a new life in America in the 1990’s.A courageous,hard working lady who embodied the spirit of courage and adventure as well as love that inspired the creation of America.The world is a poorer,sadder place without you.Rest in God’s hands…….JA
John Adams
01/06/2004 2:53:45 PM
I was a good friend of Tatiana in mid 80s. When she moved in USA I’ve lost her. I was shocked to know (I knew it after visiting Moscow in November 2003) she is one of victims 11th Sep… I still have a few photos of her from 80s. I will be glad to share them with her husband Vasily. Vasily! Please don’t hesitate to send me an answer then I can forward pics to you. Sasha
Sasha Chanturiyas in file
Oct. 3, 2001
Tatiana Ryjova was thinking about changing jobs, but working in the meantime as a meeting coordinator for Regus Business Centres at the World Trade Center was still worth the long commute into the city.
Though Ryjova had been with the company for the past year, her friend Deborah Monroe said Ryjova wanted to work closer to home to spend more time with her husband, Vasily, and their two young sons.
“She told me she didn’t want to go into the city,” Monroe said. It was a two-hour commute from the Ryjovas’ home in Somers, N.Y., and she had been asking about jobs in Connecticut, where Monroe and Ryjova had worked together in the past.
Ryjova came to the United States in the early 1990s as a tour guide for a Russian vacation company. She held a master’s degree in education from a Russian university and had a penchant for languages. She persuaded her husband–who was still living in Russia at the time–to move to the states and settle permanently in New York.
More or less.
Together, they bought houses in the New York suburbs, fixed them up and sold them, a process they repeated a number of times in recent years, Monroe said.
At the same time, Tatiana Ryjova had worked in the training and development office of a Medicaid group, at a computer training and professional development organization and, most recently, at Regus.
Along the way, she collected friends like stamps, Monroe said. Other Russian emigrants were instant friends, of course, but so were fellow churchgoers, coworkers and clients from every place she had worked. Ryjova went beyond compassion, said Monroe. “She’d take your side. She’d get all mad and angry at people for you.”
When laid off from a Connecticut company a year ago, Ryjova was quickly hired by Regus as the company opened its offices on the 93rd floor of the trade center’s south tower.
Though the families of others in the building had begun holding memorial services, Ryjova officially remained among the missing.
“Everyone, I guess, always has hope,” said her husband.
–James Janega (The Chicago Tribune)
Some guest book entries for Tatiana…
February 11, 2005
I doubt anyone will see this. but when I was little, about 8 years ago when I was 6 my mother and Tatiana were very good friends. I remember my sister Maria, my brother Ilya and I would go sledding with her kids. I remember going on camping trips and playing in their big back yard. I barely remember Tatiana, just a few little things. I remember she gave me a little music box that I would play over and over again. I really liked Tatiana, she was so sweet and giving. Even though I was so little, I remember how sweet and kind she was. I think about her almost everyday, and she has taught me to appreciate everything I have in life. Best wishes to the Ryjova family…
-the Barannikov’s, Polina B. (CT ), blackxrose219@yahoo.com
September 12, 2003
I worked at VisiocomUSA with Titiana and often would smoke and joke around with her. She was always so nice and could always bring a smile to my face. She a had such a sass and flare about her that was so refreshing. I will always remember her and what a beautiful person she was. God bless her and the Ryjova family.
Roger Griswold (Norwalk, CT )
September 10, 2002
Dear Vassil,& Boys-I Know this is kind of late,but I want you to know that I will always remember You,Tanya and little Alex living with us in the barn-I always respected you and your family.I am so heartbroken that Tanya has perished in the horrible terrorist attack.What a beatiful woman.I am so glad to have known such a wonderful family.My Mom and Bob are praying for you Vassil.God bless and take care-Love kelly
Kelly (Miller)Kaelin (Brewster, NY )
January 26, 2002
My friend…God knows how I miss you. Every day I turn a corner and am reminded of you, think I see you and know I have to wait till I am in Glory to give you a big hug. Tati (as she was nicknamed) had been my friend for years. She would bring Brie into work for breakfast. At lunch she would put on her jogging shorts, put her hair up and poke at me to come with her. We spent hours talking. We cried together, we laughed together. It has been months now, and I still can’t get over missing her so much. The week before this all happened she was the last person I talked to before I went on a trip. I told her we would do coffee when I got back the week after…catch up as friends do. The coffee will have to wait until I see her in our Father’s arms…She knew the power of God and I am sure that He was with her at that moment…loving her…holding her and leading her…Until that great day, Tati…I love you and I miss you so dearly…Deborah
Deborah Monroe (Stormville, NY )
November 17, 2001
Dear Vasily, Daniel and Alex,
I’m not sure I can find the right words to express how sorry I am to hear about your loss. Meeting Tatiana & all of you in Cape Hatteras this past summer was something I cherished very much. I immediately thought of her when I heard about the tradegy and had been hoping for the best ever since. Although I only knew her for a short time, I will always remember her as a loving, generous, fun and smiling friend, wife and mother. I want to send you all my very deepest condolences. I wish you all the strength in the world to get through this. Feel free to email if I can help in any way.
Lamia Naccache (Quebec, QC )
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