I don't know what happened this morning, but I really did it this time. I opened the newspaper in the early morning. That is just a rookie mistake to make. Did I learn nothing from the last time I thought: hey, let’s be an informed adult! only to end up doomscrolling, stress-eating, and questioning every second of my life that led me to this moment?
And there it was, another shooting in Brussels. This is the third shooting in 24 hours with Kalashnikovs. The scene of a bullet in a little girls room was burnt in my brain. So apparently, we can’t have nice things in Brussels. Brussels, the so-called capital of Europe, a city I love, a city filled with history, diplomacy, and beer so strong it could make you forget your problems (for a while, at least). And yet, it’s always making headlines for all the wrong reasons.
It hit me harder than I expected. Maybe because I was relieved the kids were at school, but suddenly, I wondered, should I make them text me when they arrive? It’s been a while since I last did that. But today, I felt it again, that creeping unease, that old familiar feeling. Because the truth is, once you've lived through something like this, it never really leaves you.
Years ago, when Brussels was hit by terrorist attacks, my husband was there. Both of my brothers were there. One was getting to the center of Brussels using the subway. The other one was getting on the train to start his commuting journey to Brussel. Bjorn was already at the office. The news was on that morning, and it was early. When the images, the noice, the terror hit me because the journalist started to scream. I remember a sheer panic, the desperate need to hear their voices. I called Bjorn first, who was in lockdown in the center. I called my brother before he could get in the subway and he got out. The youngest didn't start the journey to the center. Bjorn found a way out of the city, after the second attack in the subway. That day was horrific. And yet, we were the lucky ones.
So today, it all came back. The fear, the uncertainty. It was a calm day, but not in my head. I was freezing (though, to be fair, I still have the flu), so I buried myself under a plaid on the couch, hoping warmth would settle the storm in my mind.
And then evening came. The kids were home, filling the house with their stories and laughter. Dinner was a chaotic mix of exam talk, kitchen disasters, and reflections on their final year at college. Just looking at them makes my days happy. Their energy, their smiles, they pull me out of my thoughts and into the present.
I glanced at my husband. Our eyes met for a second, and in that silent moment, I knew he felt it too. The past still lingers, the fear still sits in the background. But we are here. We are safe. And these kids? They make everything worth it.
Still remember that day! And !INDEED seeing the news today was terrible! I !HOPE the situation in Brussels improved soon…
!ALIVE
!BBH
!WEIRD
!INEEDSLEEP
Yeah me too, and I’m glad you don’t work there anymore
A newspaper... 😆 🤣 😂
What about it?
Newspapers are almost obsolete nowadays imo anyway
They are, but that wasn’t the main thing I was talking about. It was about the shootings in Brussels with Kalashnikovs. But thanks for the reply
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I'm grateful that you guys have been safe through the engineered chaos. This is one reason that I wanted to be off-grid in the jungle when things began to get more stupid, which I knew they would, as that was the same playbook being used worldwide. Things everywhere are shifting very quickly, and for the far better, but there will likely still be some bumps in the road. 😁🙏💚✨🤙
!ALIVE
!BBH
!INDEED
!LOLZ
Yes it will be a bumpy ride and you feel the tensions rise. I’m just going to drink my coffee now 😂
May it be an incredible cup of coffee! 😁 🙏 💚 ✨ 🤙
It always is ❤️❤️ thank you very much
Marvelous! Mine too, though I'm sure that you'd scarcely consider it coffee...lol! You know it, you're always very welcome, of course! 😁 🙏 💚 ✨ 🤙
Yes I know and that is really very kind of you ❤️ this coffee will do for the time being 😂
Wonderful, and on both counts! 😁 🙏 💚 ✨ 🤙
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I read that it was drug dealers who staged a shootout. Brussels has become a troubled city. In the provinces it is probably calmer, life goes slower and there is a greater chance of stress-free living.
Nice pic
Thank you
You are welcome, I am newbie. Would you mind Guiding me?
I will try to help you out as much as I can