Question of the Week

What lasting effect has September 11 had on you?

I am a model and photographer in NYC. Around 8:40 am that morning, I was shopping for a shirt that I needed to bring to a model shoot. As I looked across the street, I saw people running out of the Empire State Building. I remembered words from my mommy... run with them... so I did. As I turned the corner, I saw hundreds of people in the street staring up at the World Trade Center and I saw a big orange fire and black smoke. I ran to the telephone and called my boyfriend. He was screaming that planes hit the WTC. I ran about 7 blocks to my apartment, grabbed my camera and keys and ran in the direction of the WTC.

I was on 23rd Street and Broadway about 20 minutes away from the WTC. I started photographing with a telephoto lens and I could see everything high in the sky. And I mean everything. Meanwhile, people were standing in the streets... all traffic had stopped... this in New York City!!

...No one is talking; it is silent as if someone has come and silenced the world or sucked out all the air. It felt like the twilight zone...

When the 2nd building fell.... it was as if the spell was broken and everyone started crying and fell to the ground and screaming and hugging and crying, growling and snarling, rocking back and forth; trying to make sense out of everything...

I lost one good friend and 2 associates. I have friends and family who lost friends and I've heard more stories than I care to share. But what September 11 means to me is life. All of us who survived that day and live on should do exactly that -- LIVE. Live your life to the fullest... make a difference in the life of others... show off God and give Him a reason for making you who you are.

I feel it is my duty to live my life to the benefit of others... and I do. Chick Regina

• September 11th made me get my will done... finally
• September 11th made me thankful I live in the U.S.
• September 11th makes me realize daily that we could die tomorrow, even if we wear our seatbelts and eat healthy. Live it up now.
• September 11th forced me to talk to my kids about crazy people, evil people, politics, world history and the devil.
• September 11th taught me that bad things can happen to good people.
• September 11th has inconvenienced my life. It makes me get to the airport way earlier than I used to.
• September 11 has caused me to be searched everywhere I go and, unfortunately, since 9/11 I am always asking myself, "Does that person look like a terrorist?" Chick Karin

September 11 has made me more focused on my family than ever and more connected to those close to me than I could ever imagine. It has also unfortunately turned me into a closet profiler whenever I take a commercial flight. I find myself surveying everyone who is in the waiting area at the airport and eavesdropping on their conversations and watching their interactions with others. I hate to admit this last character flaw but perhaps it will ease with time. Chick Susie

Sadly enough, my grandfather passed away on that same day. So, for some time I have been focused on him and how his death has truly impacted my grandmother and mother's family.

However, the events of 9/11 are further proof for me that Americans take most everything available to them for granted. I am hopeful that this event, as tragic as it was, will serve as a wake-up call for all Americans and foreigners who have supported terrorists. It's time to appreciate one another for our differences rather than judge first on appearance alone. Chick Kristin

To constantly remind myself how lucky I am to have my friends and family to love and to cherish!! Chick Lynn

It's made me realize how fragile life really is. We only get a moment, an hour or a day to effect another person's life. They or you could be gone tomorrow. I value my friends, family and love much more. It has also made me see the invincible America isn't so invincible. Chick Jana

I think every time I head for the airport to catch a plane or pick someone up I remember 9-11 and think about those poor people that all died and the families left behind. Chick Julie

For the most part, I feel so much more patriotic! We DO live in the best country on earth, it is a FREE country, and I like to show that. I dress patriotically more often, display flags more frequently, and thank God that I live in America. Chick Jeanette

I have had a philosophy for the last few years that goes like this.... I try to bed each night with no regrets and September eleventh drove that home for me. I don't ever want to go to bed feeling bad about the way I spoke to someone or about them because we have no guarantees that this isn't our last day. No Regrets!! billiondollarbaby