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I’m not alone in my thoughts about the attacks of September 11. I read about others’ thoughts on their web pages and talk with others about what they’re thinking and doing. The attacks aren’t constantly on my mind, but it seems the ideas and emotions surrounding them are always nearby. Sometimes they push me to keep away news and new information. Sometimes I seek out new photos and progress. For instance in the year end photos published at the nytimes. Or the special edition put out by Time magazine. Some of these photos are new, some I’d seen before and yet I found myself studying them closely and seeing especially the humanity in them – the people effected. Those killed, those witnessing, those left behind to endure.

I think it’s important to remember that we’re not alone in our thoughts and emotions these months later. We’re all processing and holding it together and trying to make sense of this senseless thing. I’ll post again a link about the very normal process of dealing with stress and trauma. Do talk to others about what you’re feeling, if only to admit it to yourself and possibly to help them know that others are thinking similar thoughts. I especially liked this part under “common thoughts”:

— Preoccupation with the event/difficulty thinking about other things. This is our way of trying to absorb the enormity of the event, little by little, at a pace we can handle.
— Thinking of the event over and over, being riveted to television, radio, and web reports. This is our way of trying to re-establish some sense of understanding and control.