[antiochian]

that we're almost to the 10-year mark of this sad event. I woke up that morning to see my mom sitting in front of the TV, and those horrible pictures of the towers smoking were so surreal. When I went to work that afternoon at a job I'd just started at a nursing home, I saw the scenes replaying on residents' TV screens.

I remember the talk about an imminent war which would involve a draft, and of course the Anthrax deaths. There was so much fear in those days. People were in such shock and sorrow, and I recall how religious communities and leaders stepped forward to express their emotions and prayers.

As much as I later came to detest President Bush, I thought he handled things well at that time. For one day in American history, people of practically every religious and political persuasion and walk of life came together in their grief and anger.

I had the privilege of viewing these things from the safety of a TV screen. I can't imagine what those of you who lived near the places of attack went through. I can't imagine the pain of those whose loved ones perished that day because a group of human beings could have such hatred.

Peaceful wishes to the souls who succumbed to the violence of that day.