That’s a good question that I hadn’t really considered while I was writing it. I could have written (and I have, but they aren’t published – yet). It just seemed like I had to write this book.  I guess there are several – the introduction of the book explains one of the reasons. But there is probably more to that.  I think I started writing it in my head sometime after 9/11.  That was an event that turned life upside down for me in a way I wouldn’t have expected.

I was working with the elderly at that time and the way they responded to the newscasts, newspapers and conversations reminded me of other times in my life when people have become stressed by remembering what they had experienced at another time or in another place.

I was also very active as a lay minister (non-ordained person) in the church and working on my Masters in Religious Studies.  I was called on by the lay leadership of our congregation to lead us on The National Day of Prayer as our Priest was unavailable in another state.  This brought me to my knees in a different way as I led the congregation through prayer At a time when people knew what happened was wrong and who wanted to understand why it was happening a seldom used prayer from the http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/book-common-prayer came to my mind.  The prayer is found in the section titled Prayers and Thanksgivings and is titled ‘For our Enemies.’

“O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen“

As I kept praying this prayer throughout the days and weeks ahead I found myself being less afraid, less angry and more able to listen to other people.  I was able to listen to the elderly talk about stories of times past and current fears.  I was able to listen to people my age talk about and express concern for their loved who were in the military and other service professions, emergency responders and clergy and other civilians called to help our country at that time.  I was able to reconcile myself with times that I hadn’t understood some of what the older WWII  and other War Veterans had gone through in their particular time of service. So in that regard it was the beginning of reconciling my adult self – with my inner child.

But even more important to me, I was able to recognize the truth of what Jesus had said to his disciples: ” In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! (fear not) I have overcome the world.’ (John16:33)

So what has helped you overcome the stress you’ve felt at times of national disaster, whether caused by man or by an act of nature?