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Honestly, if it were me, and the trip were already planned and paid for, I'd say my prayers, take a deep breath, and go enjoy my trip.

The worst thing we can do is live our lives in fear.

One of my kids has received a national award. This is an award that one young person from each state receives each year based on scholarship, leadership, essay, and the recommendation of faculty. The kids compete at the school, district, and state level for this. So it's a huge honor.

So why am I mentioning it? To receive the award, the kids spend a week in the Washington DC area. They will meet with various congressional and senate leaders, cabinet officials, possibly the president, and generally learn how the government operates.

I have sent in the money, and bought the plane ticket. I will probably not have a fingernail left by the time the trip is over, and will have everyone I know praying for the safety of these kids.

But I will not let my fear of the unknown stop this wonderful, once in a lifetime experience.

Remember - the goal of terrorism is fear. Don't be afraid.

If you are religous, remember that when God sent angels with messages to people (Mary, Daniel, the shepards in the fields, and so on), the angel always started out by saying "Do not be afraid. Fear not."

If that's the advice of the angels and of God, then that advice is certainly good enough for me.