Coping Since Sept. 11
NPR Listeners Reflect on Life After National Tragedy

The following letters are from fifth grade students in Montgomery County, Md.

My dad wants me to come stay with him for Christmas, but I don't want to fly because I'm scared. I was always afraid to fly, but now it is worse. I heard four or five students and two teachers were on the plane and I dream at night I am one of those students watching my life go down.

Crystal

I'm afraid because the FBI does not have bin Laden and that guy killed so many people. On one of the planes were a few students and their teachers. I don't know what he might do next... .

Megan

My mom is going to Massachusetts for a business meeting and I'm worried that the plane might crash, explode or get hijacked.

Chris

I've not been dealing very well with the tragedy because my mom was a mile away from the Pentagon and her building shook. She could see it out her window because she was on the top floor.

Diane

Now that America is not safe anymore, I'm getting more scared all the time. Some people have stopped watching the news about the terrorists. Even checking your mail isn't safe. You have to wear gloves to open mail because anthrax might be on the envelope.

Keith

Return to the index | Read the next letter