Still living and breathing the aftermath of Sept. 11

It snuck up on us, swiftly and stealthy, almost incognito.

March 11.

Six months to the day Earth stood still, the morning every American stood in awe of cowardice and in disbelief of the horror they watched unfold on television.

I remember walking into Becky's Deli on State Street, my morning hangout in my Pennsylvania hometown. It was 8:40, and Becky, a news junkie, had CNN on as always.

Within minutes, as I was taking the first bite of my bacon and egg sandwich, life as we knew it would change forever.

New York City, only a 1-hour drive away, a place to which many Philadelphians commute to w...