JOURNALING PROMPTS
Compiled by Creative Memories Exec. Director Vicki Morgan, September, 2001
(Designed to be used to reflect upon the events of the Attack on America--September 11, 2001)

Please use the following questions as prompts or thought provokers to write out the facts, and the thoughts, feelings, emotions you experienced during and in the subsequent days following Tuesday's tragedy.  It is not necessary to "answer" any or all of them.  Just select from them what might help you "tell the story" of this time in our lives.  The important thing is to capture on paper a record of your reactions before time dims our memories.


1.  Where were you and what were you doing when you first heard the news of the Attack on America, Sept. 11, 2001?

2.  What were your first thoughts and feelings upon hearing the news?  (Amazement, disbelief, horror, sadness, anger, other . .  )  What were the first things you commented on?
 
3.  What were you wearing, what kind of food did you eat, were the kids at school,how old were you and your family members, what kinds of jobs did you have to do that day, etc.?

4.  How did your thoughts change as you watched it unfold?

5.   Where were your family members and other close friends or relatives at the time?

6.  How did you connect with your family and friends to reassure yourself of their safety and well-being?

7.  How has this affected your feelings of personal safety and security?  Now and for the future?

8.  What kinds of coping mechanisms did you observe from yourself and close family and friends?  (Sit and watch TV24/7, get back to work, unable to work, guilty, sad, depressed, etc.)

9.   How have your personal beliefs or religion helped you during this time?

10.  Has this event rekindled or strengthened your feelings of patriotism?

11.  Did you participate in any group functions and/or the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance and if so, what did you do?

12.  How has this impacted on your views regarding other cultures, religions,ethnic groups, humanity, etc.?

13.   Did you perceive a difference in the people you met in public places?  (More friendly, more fearful, no noticeable change, etc.)

14.  How do you feel about civil liberties vs. the curtailment of some of the freedoms we have taken for granted in the USA to date?

15.  Does your frame of reference include feelings of forgiveness, retribution,revenge, or other thoughts regarding the perpetrators of the attack?

16.  What visual images will stay with you for a long time?

17.  What message would you want to write to your children and future generations as a result of this experience?

18.  How has this event changed what is important to you?

AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH:

On Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, I first heard the news of the attack on the World Trade Towers in New York City as I was_________________________________.

My first reaction was one of____________________________________________.

After I realized what had happened, the first thing I did was ___________________

As the events unfolded, I began to feel___________________________________.

The first loved ones I thought of were____________________________________.

And I tried to contact_________________________________________________.

I found myself coping by______________________________________________.

The visual images that will stay with me are _______________________________.

The most important thing that has come out of this tragedy for me is_____________.


You are encouraged to write your responses on a CreativeMemories ruled album page (both 8½ x11 and 12x12 will fit in a 12x12 album) using our fine tip pens, which are permanent, fade-proof and waterproof.  If you wish to generate your responses on a computer, we suggest you print them out using Creative Memories archival quality Inkjet Matte or Laser/Photocopy paper. These pages can then be inserted into your album among any other memorabilia or pictures you may collect or have taken during this time.

Compiled by Creative Memories Exec. Director Vicki Morgan, September, 2001

For more information, please contact Trish McCourt, Creative Memories Senior Consultant at pdmmccourt@hotmail.com