This week (v. long)

[triner918 at aol.com]

This week has been the most difficult I have ever had, as it has for 
most Americans and the world.  I was at school when it happened and 
at first only heard snippets whispered about in the hallway.  When I 
was finally able to have a chance to read the news on various 
internet sites, I was dumbfounded. It didn't seem real, even having 
seen photos,  not until I got home and turned the tv on and saw the  
video images for myself.  I have been glued to the news, although 
last night and today I have turned on brainless shows in order to 
give myself a break while I eat my Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, 
which I only just found here today. (BTW, I do not enjoy the sardine 
bean.  Yeuch!)  

Some of my kids in speech at school have talked about it.  On 
Wednesday am the first question I was asked my one of my 2nd graders 
was "Why did those planes have so much gas on them?" He also wanted 
to know what I thought the next target was going to be.  Another 
group of boys was talking about joining the Army and going to fight 
the people who did this to us.  One in that group also said he was 
just praying that they didn't come here and do anything and for the 
people who died in the crashes and the buildings that fell down.  I 
just ached inside for them all.  They are in the second grade.  They 
should only be concerned about their Accelerated Reader points and 
not getting their card flipped in the classroom (part of a classroom 
disciplinary system in many of the rooms) not war.   

My brother, who is out in LA, has just moved into a new apartment, 
and doesn't yet have the cable hooked up.  Tuesday he got into his 
car around 8:00 am to go to work, turned his radio on to hear the 
news about the plane crash into the Pentagon.  "And now back to the 
big story..."  He thought, "What on earth is going on if a plane 
crashing into the Pentagon is *not* the Big Story?"

Anyway, I am doing much better tonight.  I slept better last night 
with no odd, disturbing dreams involving kids from school. I have 
learned that my friend Missie in the DC area is okay.  Her building 
was evacuated on Tuesday--they are only about 20 minutes from the 
White House.  It took her 2 hours to get home on the train, but she 
is safe.  Ditto for the family of another friend from Long Island.  I 
I am very grateful for that.  

I am also very grateful for this group.  Reading all the messages of 
support here (and on the KS list) has helped during this week.  

Trina