We asked you to tell us how 9/11 changed your lives and about 230 of you took the time to send an e-mail or write a letter. You shared the fear, the pain and the personal struggle to understand a future you didn't expect. Many of you wrote about hope. This week, we offer excerpts from some of your reflections.
Prior to the horrific events of Sept. 11, 2001, I loathed going through security at airport boarding gates. As a Filipino American, I viewed the security screening as susceptible to the whims of security personnel and thus could be used in racial profiling.
After having viewed replays of the tape showing two of the 9/11 hijackers virtually waved through so casually at the airline boarding gate, how I wished security staff had exercised tighter inspection of those two villains. Of course, that was then.
Now when I go through much tighter airport security screenings, I just entertain thoughts of how important and necessary these inconveniences are for safer air travel.
GREG ALABADO
Chula Vista
I also ask myself every day, “Am I right with God? Did I hug my son for no reason, just because he's there and I can?” Because I can't stop the planes from crashing or the car bombs from going off, but I can still pray because it calms me, and I can still love my family because it fulfills me. 9/11 added a harsh realization of the power of hatred to my peaceful little life, but it also added awareness of the great life I live and the freedom I forgot to be grateful for.
BRENDA BAKER
Webster
