While raising our 5 kids, what we feared most was their being kidnapped. From an early age, they knew not to talk to strangers, let alone walk off with them. Fortunately, they remained safe, and despite our having childproofed the house back then, these days our kids still manage to come back in!

When our kids get together now, they remind me that when they used to jump on the bed, I warned them the mattress springs might pop out. They are thankful that never happened, and both they and their mattresses remained intact. Sadly, their innocence didn't.

Their implicit trust was swiftly stolen one crisp, sunny September day, 14 years ago. Our children joined the rest of the world in searching for a new sense of security. Well-beyond the image of a "bad guy who lies in wait amid darkness," they were shown the darkness that has dawned in a sub-population hell-bent on destroying those who do not embrace their own beliefs. Unbelievably, it took only a few box cutters to sever hopes and dreams, simultaneously rewriting history while downing planes and buildings.

Parents and school teachers were left to restore a sense of well-being; such a tremendous task! For the younger school-age children, we endeavored to create a collage relying on the familiar; school safety scissors, paper and paste. For less-concrete adolescents, we needed to instill a sense of security; an understanding that empowerment stems from knowing they need not cave-in to fear.

Last week came a reminder that we cannot close our eyes, nor can we rest in our laurels of trust and safety. How, then, do we enjoy life and dream about tomorrow?

Soon the answer came to me! WE ARE STILL HERE! We are alive and intact! If you are reading this, you still have a beating heart that begs to bear joy and happiness. You embody a soul that longs to make a difference, because you are alive. The breath within you offers the capacity to blow away the flickering fear, and light a candle everywhere you go! Some say we have only today. I say today is the perfect day to celebrate your blessings! Yesterday, we also knew that today was no guarantee, but you know what? I am writing this, you are reading this, and WE'RE STILL HERE! Yes, we ARE still here.

Let today be all you want it to be. Allow your dreams to be in vivid color. Sing loudly and smile from deep within the center of your soul. Dance freely and feel passion for the minutiae that really is the "stuff" of life. Open doors for others and tell them to "have a good day." Laugh like a hyena and slumber in the warmth of the sun, like a cat. It's called living. It's ALL good. It's all because WE'RE STILL HERE!