I woke up this morning with a message from my daughter, “I’m so glad you were safe when you were there [Paris]”. My husband said, “I worry about all the trips you take.”

My reply: I have to live my life and I refuse to live it in fear.

That’s what these terrorists want. They want us to hunker down in fear and worry. I refuse to do it. I will not be intimidated by cowards that are sneaky and that prey on innocent civilians.

My heart and prayers go out the people of France, especially those who live in Paris. Not only am I sad for them, but I am angry as well. I am angry because these terrorists are out there, trying to take the joy out of people. People who are only out trying to have the pleasure of enjoying a game, a dinner, or a show.

As I think about fear, my mind rambles over many thoughts.

My husband and I saw the movie, BRIDGE OF SPIES, last night. It takes place in 1957, during the Cold War with the USSR. I was only 12 at that time, but I remember Francis Gary Powers. I remember being afraid of a nuclear attack as I grew up. I remember my step-dad thinking of building a bomb shelter in the back yard. I remember that in high school my friends and I would talk about this fear. One day I decided to stop being afraid of dying in a nuclear blast. You shouldn’t live with fear all the time.

I was recently in New York at the sight of the 9/11 memorial. I can never think of that day without tears and sorrow, but I also know that we did not bow down to those who brought this terrible thing to the American people and to those that live in New York. I know that we continue to appreciate the lives we have. Patriotism is more present than ever.

I feel that Paris and France will heal and that like the United States, their people will become stronger than ever.