DEAD DEAL: How did 9/11 change your life? WINNER: COUPON GIRL SHELLY

[pasharain]

I recently read an article in the Reader's Digest that I thought would make a nice ROAK theme in light of the upcoming anniversary.

Just answer the question and I will pick a winner randomly 9/12. Winner will receive a potluck of 30 coupons.

How did 9/11 change your life?

[CW&M Mom]

I stopped hating President Clinton. I started feeling like we gave him such a hard time in everything international that it could not be helpful when it came to trying to nail osama.

That I would start trying to give whatever president who was in charge..a bit more respect that they are dealing with a crapload of stuff that they can't tell us..and know that I don't want to be one of the reasons they decide to back down and not get a horrible terrorist off the planet before he kills thousands of people.

[tacatcon]

I rememember 9/11/11 very well. I think for me, it made me appreciate how resilient people can be. And also, I am unfortunately a little more "ready for trouble" when something comes up in the country. We lived for a long time thinking "it won't happen to us" and then it did.

[teaora]

9/11 showed me how much people across the country really care about their fellow Americans. It was amazing how people mobilized to help those in NYC. I have always been a proud American, but that day reminded me why I'm proud. It reminded me that I should always care about what is going on outside my own little world and help those around me. I don't think there is a person in this country that doesn't remember or hasn't been affected by 9/11. Every fall when the air is crisp, the sun is shining, and the sky is cloudless and bright blue, the first thing I think about is 9/11.

[dyoung5782]

It made me realize that no one is safe. There are always going to be tragedies that touch your life whether it be in a big or small way. We live in such a small world.

[buddysmom]

Every fall when the air is crisp, the sun is shining, and the sky is cloudless and bright blue, the first thing I think about is 9/11.

This is so true...I think the same thing

[Gertie2u]

Two friends were nearly lost in the crash of the towers, a third lost his life partner. Another friend was a news photographer sent to capture photos. He turned the corner and headed down the street toward the towers just as the first tower fell. He was so profoundly affected by what he saw there, he has not been able to photograph another tragedy since. It was years before he was able to take another photo at all. He spent weeks working at the site as a volunteer. I flew the first Friday flights were flying after the towers. We actually did not have a bad experience, but it was disconcerting to pass through security watched over by soldiers in their war gear, guns at the ready. I think that was when it truly came home to us our country would never be the quite the same again.

Since then, so many things have changed and so much that we do is recorded and watch which wasn't before. I see a lot of nonsense permitted because people want to believe giving up those personal freedoms will somehow magically prevent the next 9/11. I see a lot of fear being passed on to our children and grandchildren because of that one event. And maybe I have just become too pessimistic because of what happened that day. I'll never forget the moment when my workmates and I, watching on a tv hastily brought to the office by a coworker, realized the shapes falling from high in the buildings were people. It really made me realize how lucky we are just to make it through each day and make it home to our loved ones.

[Doglover8180]

9/11 made me lose my sense of safety and security - it made me lose some sense of trust in our government - a trust that has never returned. Particularly with people since that day, still making it on planes with objects that shouldn't be there.

It also made me gain a great deal of pride and respect for my country and those that fight to protect it - a sense of pride that is forever instilled in me.

[pasharain]

Upsie!

[sniperwife]

9/11- I was pregnant with my son when that happened. I remember thinking what is this world coming to. I was getting ready for school when the first plane hit and then when the 2nd hit i was in class. I was in virginia at the time only a few hours from the white house. I went into protection mode thinking what if the attacks come down this way. 9/11 changed my life because i was pregnant and it made me want to protect my baby even more than i was because you never know how many attacks we were going to have and it got me to thinking what if someone i knew was there. 9/11 made me really sit and think and be over overcautious about mine and my baby's safety.