Don't forget what good can do.

At first glance I thought it had been vandalized. Upon closer inspection I realized it was anything but.....

I had shown this little garden space, an extension of Columbia College, on a Wordless Wednesday post back in May.

It's been transformed into something special.

Loosely tied to tree branches and metal railings, were strips of fabric with messages written on them, blowing in the wind....like prayer flags, all to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

A large banner with markers and blank fabric strips encouraged passersby to share their thoughts, fears, and hopes about that day.

Many of the messages talked about wanting peace, safety for our troops, and their overall experiences of the the event.

"I remember not knowing exactly what was happening," one cloth read, "but realizing it was something BAD."

I found this to be a simple yet very profound art installation.

It wasn't some meaningless still life or abstract painting. Here was art in its BEST form--bringing people together to share parts of themselves. To connect with something far bigger than just you or me. That's what I want for my art too.

On this day it's so easy to focus on all the devastation that occurred 10 years ago. The lives lost, the fear, the chaos that ensued. But we must also remember how our nation came together afterwards, the support, and the countless volunteers that emerged.

The positive things people have done since then like this tribute outside the college.

So before heading off to work earlier this morning, I filled out a fabric strip as well and tied it with the others in the trees.

My message read, "Don't forget what GOOD can do."