Fear doesn’t shut you down, it wakes you up

IMG_0759Terrorist attacks. It’s sad to say they have become part of our lives over the last few years. While I’m getting ready to leave on vacation, I’m reminded of the recent attacks that destroyed a lot of innocent people’s lives.

Everyone remembers where they were on 9/11.

I do. I was at home, sick, flipping through the channels, when I stumbled onto CNN and saw that second plane hit the second tower. Disbelief. Shock. I’d visited the World Trade Center a few years before, on a school trip.

I worked at the airport at the time and things changed drastically after that fateful day. My very first job was for a security company at Brussels Airport (it was ’99), checking for explosives on US bound flights. It felt surreal at the time. After 9/11 I got it.

I always loved working at the airport. There is a special atmosphere that surrounds it. You’re in a different world.

IMG_0988When you enter the departure hall, it always feels like you’re leaving on an adventure. Leaving all your troubles behind.

So when I heard about the attacks at Brussels airport, it hit very close to home, like it did for a lot of us. Not only because it was on Belgian soil, or about half an hour from where I live, but an attack on a place I loved working at 15 years ago. A place I love coming to, because it means I’m travelling somewhere and travel always makes me happy.

Even though I haven’t worked at the airport for many years, I’m sure I knew some of the people in that departure hall. Whether it were the security agents, the check-in staff or maybe even the people travelling somewhere that day. And even if I didn’t know them personally, I know who they are. I was one of them. I am one of them.

In times like these we stand united. If only we didn’t need tragedies like these to feel that way. I’m not one to make political statements, so I won’t. But we are all human, no matter what race or religion. I know it sounds incredibly naive, but can’t we all just get along?

So please, let’s wake up. I still wanna believe in human kindness.

xxxsassie

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