Wednesday, September 11, 2002

Betty Lue asked me yesterday how 9/11 has affected my life over the last year. On a day-to-day level, it really hasn't, but I think it's affected my overall thoughts and reactions to things. I don't know if there's more anger or sadness in the world now than a year ago, or if I'm just noticing more, but every time I hear of terrorists, or guns in schools, or couples breaking up or people just being unhappy, I think back to this time last year and wonder if the world is just going completely downhill. It's as if there's a general sickness in the planet, of which 9/11 was just one of the more noticeable symptoms. But I suppose my perspective is less optimistic than it used to be, since it's been a bit of a rough year for me, personally. I think the trick will be to not get overwhelmed by a world that seems to go crazy sometimes, but just to remember that the best thing we can all do is to keep our own lives happy and meaningful, and then try to work up from there. We can't change the world from the top down.

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Dad and Betty Lue and I all went to Rossmoor for dinner with Grandpa Marsh and Grandma Jackie yesterday. It was good to see everybody. Pictures are here. Something I want to remember from the conversation: People who spend their lives giving to others also need to learn to receive. That can be harder than it sounds, but a good reminder for some of us.

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