I was at work taking a short break when I first heard that there was something amiss in London. I was checking my mails on my cell phone and among them was a bulletin from the BBC stating that a 'loud bang' had been heard, possibly a power problem.
It was not long of course before the full horror of what was happening in my home town was becoming apparent, though details were very sketchy.
A short time later I received a text from a friend who works in 'The city' saying he was safe. More details were available by that time and the magnitude of the incident was becoming obvious.
I spent a frantic lunch hour calling friends and family, all were accounted for bar one, a cousin who was working very near to one of the explosions. Thankfully after a fraught few hours she too was contacted safe and well....we were very lucky.
This is not the first time London has suffered at the hand of terrorists and tragically I don't imagine it will be the last but Lisa's post received a comment from 'Mick' that for me says it all, an excerpt of which I have copied here:
"In the past people have asked me if I worry about the wharf being a big target, my answer is always the same, if you let the terrorists dictate how you run you're life then they have won a victory and this is not acceptable."
Someone asked me the same question today in relation to when I lived in and when I now visit my parents in London. My answer was almost identical to Mick's comment. Yes, it crosses your mind once in a while and yes you are aware of your safety, maybe jump a little at loud noises but tomorrow I'm sure, all those that can be, will be back in town working, sightseeing and going about their everyday business.
Terrorism cannot win.
My thoughts are with the 37 (so far) families who's mother, father, son, daughter, husband or wife won't be arriving home tonight as usual..... and with the emergency service workers who willingly walk toward what the rest of us flee.
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