• RE: Five weeks ago.....,MakeItStop, 04:55 PM, 10-17-01
• RE: Five weeks ago.....,dabo, 02:25 AM, 10-18-01
• Here's a Big Hug...,IceCat, 04:20 AM, 10-18-01
• RE: Five weeks ago.....,PepeLePew13, 03:25 PM, 10-19-01
• RE: Five weeks ago.....,moonbaby, 02:17 AM, 10-20-01

LadyT, I'm so sorry you don't feel safe. I don't feel quite as bad as you but I do have a few concerns of my own. I write software for the military and work with military people on a regular basis. Several people I work with are in the reserves and were recalled several weeks ago. Of course, they couldn't tell us where they were going but knowing their skills it isn't hard to figure out where they are. When I heard of our first air attack, I couldn't help but think of them and their families.

And now my husband will be helping rebuild the Navy command center that was destroyed at the Pentagon. I have mixed feelings about this. I think it's exciting and scary at the same time. He leaves on Sunday night and will return home on Friday evening -- he'll follow this schedule for several weeks until the job is done.

Gosh, I just realized this probably isn't helping you. Sorry.

LadyT, I fully emphasize with you. The world is not a safe place right now for any of us, it is disturbing. But I have faith, and I hope you will as well, that things will improve. For reasons I won't go into, we were on security alerts for many months prior to Sept. 11, it becomes a matter of discipline and duty; no one wants to become accustomed to such things, at least not in a tolerant and freedom-loving society such as we have here in America. We must trust that, if we remain faithful to our ideals of freedom and liberty and so on, in a plural society where all people have a right to their beliefs and we ask only that each of us respect everyone else's individual rights, in the long-run right will prevail. These are distressing times, to be certain, and all my friends everywhere are in my prayers every day. We live in a diverse and wondrous world where most people seek only contentment in their lives and wish only happiness for all others as well, let us not lose sight of that truth, that most people are good and true; let us not allow a miserable hatefilled few to destroy our hope. They may have forced the world to deal with them, they may be trying their best to ruin everything for everyone in their zealous quest for nothing other than their own self-importance, but in the end right will prevail. Be strong, my friend. Have faith in what is right and true.

... and if things seem to be a bit much, try thinking about things this way:

Symptoms:

1) Desire to be close to family;

2) Difficulty falling asleep;

3) Feeling closer to Jesus.

Isn't it ironic that these are also the symptoms of being a child on Christmas Eve?

I hope you don't feel this was meant to be trivial. It's just a way to try and look at all these overwhelming feelings and to try and find a smile in there.

T, I'm glad that you are able to feel comfortable enough to express your deepest feelings and thoughts with all of us here, and am glad to be here for you. I wish things were that easy and the problems of the world can just go away with the snap of fingers, but we all have to find a way to persevere and be as strong as we can be to get through this difficult time in our lives.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

"What's wrong with her?"
"Oh, it's gonna blow up, dude... in 5 minutes, dude. It's gonna hit the (bleep) ceiling."
"It is?"
"Oh yeah." (maniacal laughter)
Anthony (talking to Adrian) on LC, Oct. 9/01

Wow Trish, your post hit me between the eyes. I have been feeling so much like you have. At work almost all day long I hear sirens. I'd get a little panicky flutter and want to get home as fast as I could. I did not want to be in the city at all! Tonight I finally met some of the amazing men and women who are still working at Ground Zero and the people who lend moral support to them by cheering and waving signs and flags and generally WOOHOOing at them The fire department, the police, the sanitation workers, it's crazy, THEY were thanking US-many of them coming off a 12-18 hour day! There was even an ironworker there who comes out after working at the site all day to cheer for the next shift going in! I am astounded. I've been so afraid to spend any time at all in the city after work, and here were these courageous people, who have been facing hell on a daily basis thanking ME for being there! I know you're nervous, T-I'm nervous too, I've been talking myself into this visit for weeks! Try to do something you've been afraid of because of all this. You might feel better!