This morning, I sent my husband off to a city filled with anxiety. Just last Saturday night, after finally getting the kids to sleep, my husband and I settled in for a Netflix binge when my phone buzzed with alarming news: there had been an explosion in Chelsea, Manhattan.
Having lived in the New York City area for most of our lives, we’ve experienced our share of minor explosions—mostly gas leaks or pipe bursts, nothing particularly alarming. Initially, I was relieved to learn there were no immediate fatalities and that those injured seemed likely to recover soon. However, as details emerged, it became clear this incident was part of something much larger. A bomb had detonated in Seaside Park, New Jersey, with another unexploded device discovered just blocks from Chelsea. By morning, more bombs were found near a train station in Elizabeth, New Jersey. While authorities didn’t initially confirm a connection, it was hard not to infer that they were related.
This morning, just like every day, my husband woke at 5 AM, took a shower, got dressed, packed his bag, and headed to Manhattan to teach high school English. He works near Times Square, a well-known target for terrorists.
I don’t want fear to dominate my life; I refuse to let those who spread terror win. Yet, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t anxious about him going to work today. Unfortunately, this isn’t a new feeling. We were newlyweds during the September 11 attacks, both in the city that day. While we escaped physically unharmed, the emotional scars lingered for months after. Each morning goodbye was heavy with the knowledge that anything could happen.
Every parent of school-aged children felt a similar fear after the Sandy Hook shooting. I vividly remember picking my kindergartener up the day after, surrounded by other mothers, all of us clinging to our children, desperate for safety.
What is Wrong with Our World?
As the political climate heats up, many will assign blame for the New York/New Jersey bombings. Whether the individual responsible is a homegrown terrorist or a delusional attention-seeker, it’s clear that something is deeply wrong in our society. This past summer witnessed the worst mass shooting in U.S. history, with 16 of the deadliest incidents occurring in just the last decade. America leads the world in gun-related fatalities—how tragic.
In recent months, hate crimes have surged across Europe and the globe. Even as we strive for acceptance and equal rights for LGBTQ+ individuals, they remain prime targets for hate in America. Muslim Americans have also faced a concerning rise in hate crimes.
Regardless of political perspectives, it’s undeniable that we’re grappling with an unprecedented amount of hatred and fear in our nation. As a mom, my overwhelming desire is to protect my family, but I often feel helpless amidst this turmoil.
Last night, I lay awake worrying about my husband’s safety. I almost dashed to the door at 5:45 AM to tell him to stay home. But I knew he had students counting on him—not just for lessons on literature, but for reassurance that life would carry on despite the chaos.
For now, all we can cling to is the hope that most of us will come through these harrowing moments relatively unscathed. Living in fear doesn’t make sense, yet it’s hard to ignore the reality that our world feels deeply fractured.
Finding Calm in Distress
How do we maintain our calm in times of distress? How can we parent effectively? How do we explain these complexities to our children? I don’t have the answers, only hugs, extra kisses, and tight hand squeezes as my family leaves for the day. For now, that will have to suffice.
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In summary, sending a loved one into a world filled with uncertainty is daunting. Despite the fear, we must strive to live our lives fully, finding comfort in our connections and the hope that tomorrow will be better.