I logged onto the internet this evening to just search the news related message boards for some way to ease my aching heart and find solace in the thoughts of fellow Americans. I came to this site, as the ac message board has become home to me over many months on topics related and unrelated to ambergris caye. it saddens me to see so many people here inquiring about travel to belize and other trivial issues. I know people have different ways of dealing with grief, shock, and the search for words to emotions we can't define--but please folks, where is the humanity and the compassion. your problems are little in comparison to the horror experienced by so many across this country. Please pray and out of respect, focus your thoughts and your prayers to those who need it most right now.

For those of you who have extended yuor hearts and prayers, this was the compassion I was so deperately seeking when I came to my familiar site. I work in an industry where so much of my business is conducted in the financial district of manhattan. the world financial center and the world trade towers were familiar places to me and familar icons to all of america. i am at a loss for words. the stock market is closed until next week and all i can do is wait. i wish so much to return to work and feel some sense of normalcy. i guess nothing is normal and nothing will ever be the same.

AC Beach Bum

I don't think that just because someone is trying to go ahead with life that we are showing direspect to the tragedy or those who lost their lives or their families. I work in the healthcare field. I am still needed do my job. People don't stop having babies or going to the doctor. Some have small children and others depending on them. They can't sit around and grieve all day. They have others to think of. I take care of my 83-year-old mother who has dementia. She sees the T.V. and asked every little bit, "what is happening, Kathy". I turn it off. What would happen to her if I became engulfed in the sorrow of the moment and couldn't function? The horror of what has happened is not diminished by me continuing to take care of my business. In fact, if we all become non-functioning in our grief, we are adding to the toll that these terrorists have taken in our country. There are those who have been so devastated by this tragedy that they cannot be expected to carry on with daily activities. Those of us who can, should. That's the only way our country will recoup. At least that is my opinion.

Just don't think that because I can take care of other things that need to be taken care of, that I am not sympathetic to or aware of the destruction of life and property that has taken place, or that it shows any disrepect. I'm sorry if you think it does. I'm doing NO ONE any good by sitting in front of my T.V. 24/7, box of Kleenex by my side.

I apolgize if this offends anyone. That's just the way I look at it.

Kathy

[This message has been edited by KC (edited 09-12-2001).]

first, let's keep our cool and remember we are all friends.

everyone here has valid points, and as always, are entitled to them. some of you are closer to the situation than others. this will account for differences on how we deal with things from an emotional standpoint.

i have 2 small children, and yes, no matter what, life has to go on as normal as we can make it. for their sake if nothing else.

i had to explain things to my 4 & 6 year olds. how people died. how it could have been capt'n bob, who they know. how this time it isn't "just pretend", like i can always rely on for tv shows & movies. how this time it was for real. how it isn't supposed to happen here. my daughter's homework assignment yesterday was just to come home and hug us.

i played v-ball the last 2 nights. it did me good to step away from it for a few hours. but, dinner has to be made, carpools, school, and everyday life, thank god, are still there.

yesterday, frank had to telecommute, and was kind of peeved that his deadline was unaltered by the the previous day's events. he had to work overtime just the same. as if nothing had happened. but it had.

what else can we do but wait until it all plays out, and be thankful we live here.

just take the opportunity to realize how much crap is just that, crap. and to figure out what really matters.

god bless america.

[This message has been edited by janeinPA (edited 09-13-2001).]

[This message has been edited by janeinPA (edited 09-13-2001).]

Jane in PA is my very dear and close friend. I "met" her on this board. I'm never seen her face to face, but we correspond almost daily. The morning of this terrible accident, she called and left a message on my phone at work, just to say she cared and was thinking of me...... I can't tell any of you how wonderful it was to hear her sweet voice, and how much it meant to me. Yes, the folks on this board are the best, and it's where I go to find amusement, consolation, comfort, advice and inspiration. Thank you to all of you. YOu all brighten my world, and right now I need a little light in my life. Keep those lights shining, then the darkness can not penetrate.........
Debbie

(jane blushes & sheds a tear).

You guys are just to cool for words.

MR

thanks, rose. i always knew that but it is nice to hear someone else say it.