They bombed my airport. Twice. People lay dead in the hallway where I took off to Austin a week ago. The Starbucks where I grabbed my espresso is simply gone. Blasted to bits. I was less than two miles from the airport when it happened this morning.
There is a metro burning under Brussels. People are laying under grim blankets, or screaming for help and loved ones. The Red Cross is asking for blood. People in my office are safe, trying to get a phone signal, still finding out if their loved ones are ok.
This is not Bagdad, nor Afghanistan. This is Brussels. This is where we have our friends, our waffles, our cafés, our silly politicians and our peeing mannekin. This is where we work, love and live. This is home. And it’s violated. Again. In the name of hate, greed, religion and intolerance.
It’s called terror. For a reason. Actions taken to paralyze the population. Paralyze through fear. It’s not war. War is two armies in the field. Conventions apply. This, is terror. Sneaking in the shadows. Striking from an abyss. Enough hate to kill and die for.
More than 28 people died, hundreds’ are wounded or shocked. My thoughts are with them, their families, and friends and loved ones. All of them were just trying to have a normal Tuesday.
It got me sad. And even more angry. I will not give in. No shadow fighter will get away with the ultimate prize: locking me down at home. I will not. I will not give in to fear. I’ll be at work. I’ll fly. I’ll train. I’ll be at concerts. I’ll eat and and have coffees. Our civilization stops when we stop doing what we do.
I will not give in to fear. I will not give in to hate. That’s when the baddies win. And they will not.
“I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”
(dune)
