I was living in New Jersey when the twin towers fell. The tv stopped working and it was near impossible to make a phone call. I felt severe anxiety this morning when the news showed scenes from that fateful day. I was not directly affected by these terrible events, yet I was nearly moved to tears at the thought of having to relive them via the news. So my question is: What right do I have to mourn 9/11?

I think many of us mourn 9/11 even if we were not directly impacted. Horrible events like that do traumatize us, and the images do have lasting effects..

It was a day that changed not only the USA, but many other parts of the world too.

I think many of us share these feelings.

There's nothing wrong with feeling empathy, right?

Nothing wrong with empathy at all ever...

I am Australian, so our time zones are totally different. I'd gone to bed early that night not knowing that as I was just drifting off to sleep our world would change forever. I woke up next morning and logged onto the TS forum where I used to visit and I saw a message there from DH saying something like "Don't Panic". Then I started reading... that's how I learned of what had happened. I screamed some rude words and screamed out "We're at War". I remember the words but I'm not posting them here.

I didn't mean to do that of course and I woke my daughter from her sleep with my screams. ugh. Last thing I wanted to do.

For many years after, I could not sleep at night (still have problems) because I've always been afraid something as shocking might happen again in the other hemisphere while we're sleeping here and that's a really scary thing. It's not as if I could have done anything to help. It's more that I was asleep through no fault of my own, just time zones, and that was extremely frightening indeed.

<sigh>

The right as a human being to feel compassion for other human beings, which is a part of our makeup. I would be more concerned about a person who felt nothing.

I watched both 9/11 and Waco as they happened, and I was moved to tears by both, realizing what was happening before my eyes.

However, it is important not to become consumed by grief to the exclusion of all else. IMO the best tribute we can pay to our fallen is to remember and to go on.

Doc

I've been lost in my thoughts today since I woke to the memorial ceremony for the 9/11 victims. As you pointed out, Dr. Smith, it is good that I feel compassion. This wasn't always the case for me, so it is a positive move forward for me. In addition, I'm relieved that I'm able to feel empathy for others. In a weird way, today is a victory for me!

Katie

Had to post, You are a amazing person. I think you are at least.

Donna

I think anyone can mourn the 9-11 tragedy! You don't have to be directly affected to do so. I find it awesome that you care enough to want to and as someone directly affected that day, i personally appreciate it. You rock! If you want i can share my family's story with you, maybe having something more personal connected might help? Thank you.
Jenne

Welcome Jenne

Please do feel free to share your family's story here.

I mourn on 9/11 each year. For all who were impacted that day, directly or indirectly, physically or spiritually or emotionally. I know there are millions of people, not just here in the USA, that feel it very deeply too.

My deepest sympathy

Mourning 9/11 sent me into an acute depressive episode, but I reminded myself constantly that I would survive it and it was only temporary.

Now onto the AWESOME NEWS!!! My boyfriend, John, proposed to me last night and I said YES!!!!! Woo hoo!!!