Well, again, I work for a government agency so we do have additional security rules. However, a lot of our additional security was actually added after the Oklahoma City bombing (remember that one?) and 9/11 simply added a reminder to keep doing the ID checks, etc. I do remember flying to Norfolk, VA in November of 2001 and there was a large abundance of security folks with very serious looking rifles. If you think security lines are long today, you should have gone through them back then!

Personally, I’ve simply become more grateful for the family and friends that I have and the freedoms I’m able to enjoy as an American. If there are people in the world that hate us so much for what we have, surely there must be something good about it! I say a prayer at the beginning of each day that goes something like this: “Thank you for this day. Thank you for my friends and family. Help me make the best decisions I can make today with the information I have (and sometimes the best decision is to make NO decision). Help me communicate those decisions in the best manner possible to those affected, and help me follow up to the best of my ability.” It’s simple, but I think it helps.

God bless the families who suffered direct losses on that terrible day and God bless our great country!

Comment by Minette on 9/11/2007 @ 3:39 pm

Great prayer, Minette. I especially like the part about how sometimes the best decision is making NO decision.

Comment by Jason on 9/11/2007 @ 4:34 pm

Kim and Jason,

Eleven days after 9/11, our daughter was to be married. We had many folks coming who lived locally, but there were some who had to fly and we didn’t know for a few days if they would be able to get here.

The collective national sadness embraced us in the days leading to the wedding, and we were all feeling a bit uncertain about our ability to celebrate this family event.

The wedding enabled us to break through that black cloud for a day.

Now, on THE DAY, I always do something private to remember, but then just a week and a half later I have something to celebrate, and that something actually yielded yet another something, our first granddaughter.

Yin and yang.

Comment by Katie Baird on 9/11/2007 @ 6:38 pm

What a wonderful tradition. This is the best “9/11″ post I’ve read all day. Thank you so much!

Comment by Bob on 9/11/2007 @ 9:43 pm

Katie — Thanks for sharing. It is amazing how good always comes out of bad…sometimes it just takes a little perspective.

Bob — Thanks for the kudos. I am honored by your compliment!

Comment by Jason on 9/11/2007 @ 10:41 pm