By Mix 96.5's Jason Parker

Ter'ror-ism' n. " the use of force or threats to intimidate, etc., esp. as a political policy."

Let us not be intimidated but let us not forget. Let us not forget where we were, or what we were doing, or whom we were with, or the surreal way in which time passed that day as we looked into our new world through television screens and the windows of familiar places that suddenly appeared foreign to us all.

Neighbors became friends, friends became family, and a nation of unparalleled diversity became a nation of one.

Will there be more destruction and death? Inevitably and unfortunately yes. Perhaps things even more maniacal and unfathomable than flying airliners into steel mountains and the threat of biological weapons diabolical enough to boil your entire body in it's own fluids.

But this should not affect the way in which we live our daily lives. No matter what happens, you are who you are. Understanding that is strength. You are still free to be no matter what happens to you in your daily life. Sex to you will still be sex to you. Your likes and dislikes, loves and hates will still be the same. Nothing can change the simple fact that you are still free to be yourself.

No terrorist or terrorist act can take that away from you. Whether you choose fear or hope, the choice itself is freedom.

May God, Allah, the Great Spirit or whatever omnipresent deity you believe in, bless you and yours no matter what the future holds.