what is John updike`s message in this paragraph?

The next morning, I went back to the open vantage from which we had watched the tower so dreadfully slip from sight. The fresh sun shone on the eastward façades, a few boats tentatively moved in the river, the ruins were still sending out smoke, but New York looked glorious.

Thanks.

What do you think Updike is saying about 9/11?

http://www.stanford.edu/class/intnlrel193/readings/week8/newyorker.html