The Ryook family honors the memory of their daughter Christina in New York

NEW YORK - For the past ten years the Ryook family has traveled to New York City for the anniversary of 9/11. Their daughter Christina Ryook died in the terrorist attacks which left her family and friends with a huge void that only time can heal. They gather together at the Ichi Umi Restaurant in New York City every year to remember Christina and to celebrate her life.

Christina's father, Dae Jin Ryook, talked to me about how it feels to be in New York City on the 10th anniversary of his daughter's death. In a shaky voice, he shares that he appreciates having friends and family around him because it helps with the healing process. But he states there is still a lot of sadness in his heart because he misses his daughter.

In spite of the strong emotions felt by Ryook, the atmosphere is amazingly upbeat. Pictures and mementoes of Christina's life are beautifully displayed on a table that everyone sees as soon as you enter the room. Light from several candles surround a portrait of Christina that's so life-like it makes you stop and stare at how vibrant Christina was.

Ryook also shared how Christina's friends have been such a great help to him, because they come by his Westlake home to visit often just to see how he and his wife Kyung Woo are doing. But it's very clear that the wound that was inflicted upon this family 10 years ago is still very fresh today.