Working in a newsroom (The Union News) has been very difficult this past week. In addition to not being able to turn on the TV without seeing the devastation, I have had to edit all the stories, national and local, even world, connected to the disaster. We put out a special edition Tuesday at 3:30. Luckily, I was not called in to work on it, and only had to work my 3:00-11:00 shift on the full Wednesday edition. The mood has been somber. Luckily, we have also focused on the nation's healing — the stories of courage, the stories of survival, the stories of hope, the candles, the flags, the prayers offered.

There were four local young men and women who died in the towers. Those stories were especially difficult even though I knew no one personally.

In the midst of it all, I have felt the need to focus on living life to the fullest. Yesterday, I started taking basic drawing classes, something I have always wanted to do. I have found a wonderful teacher. Actually, as "A Course in Miracles" says it so succinctly, though not verbatim since I can't find the direct quote just now "When the student is ready, the teacher appears." I am certainly ready.

I know I need to focus not only on how our world will be different from hereon in, but on what makes my own life special, and therefore contributes to the healing.

Bernadette Johnson
Southwick, MA

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