We can#039;t predict the future
Published 12:00 am Thursday, September 12, 2002
Sept. 11, 2001, was going to be a busy day.
It was the first day I was to layout the University of St. Thomas student newspaper as editor.
When I woke up that morning, a million thoughts and worries were running through my head about the paper, story assignments and deadlines.
Then the phone rang.
My boyfriend told me to turn on the television. I asked him why and he said, "Just turn it on."
When I flipped it on, there were the Twin Towers surrounded in smoke. I didn't really comprehend what had happened. At first I thought it was some strange accident.
After class that day, I went into the newspaper office and discussed with the managing editor and adviser what we could put in the paper. The paper is laid out on Tuesday, but isn't distributed until Friday.
So much could have happened between then.
We decided to call anyone we thought would have a connection to New York City or Washington D.C. and talk to the students and faculty who crowded around television screens throughout campus.
Later that day, my friend came up to office to discuss her story, but broke down into tears. Her cousin was in the National Guard and she was afraid what would happen if he got called up. She had also been trying to get a hold of a friend who worked near the towers at the Wall Street Journal.
That day turned out to be much more significant that I could have imagined.
The staff and I headed home at 1:30 a.m. that night and I shut off the television, which had been on since that morning.
The magnitude of the attacks did not hit me until I got home. I had not finished some reading for the next day so I sat on my couch and opened a book. As I read, I realized I was not concentrating on the words. Images and sounds from the television reports consumed my thoughts.
Today, we will see those images all over again as the media reminds us that those attacks were only a year ago. The initial shock of the attacks has worn off since last fall, but watching the planes hit the towers on television brings the terror of that day back into our minds.
The feeling that we had no idea what would happen next. Not knowing if we would go to war.
Knowing that our perspective on the world had changed forever.
And a year later, we're still not sure if the United States is entirely safe. On Tuesday CNN broadcast press conferences with government officials rating the terror alert as "high."
It makes us wonder if much has been accomplished since last year, in terms of keeping the country secure.
It seems that the United States and its allies have weakened al-Qaeda. Afghanistan seems to be heading in
a more positive direction.
But airport security doesn't catch all of the hazards that passengers try to get through. Anthrax scares are still being reported.
In this year, we have become more cautious, but caution doesn't make us any less vulnerable.
So instead of worrying about another attack, take today to enjoy what you have now. Call family members, eat dinner with friends. Remember the victims of the attacks and their families.
Because, really, no one can predict what will happen next.
Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at cari.quam@austindailyherald.com