Close call for local living in London

This is so very unsettling. I never thought that I would be as close

to a terrorist attack as I was Thursday.

Liverpool Street Station, one of the bombing sights, is about six

miles from our home. My reaction is mixed: I am so very thankful that

neither my husband, Thomas, nor I, nor any of our friends, were

traveling by the Underground or by bus today. I am horrified and

saddened by this ruthless, tragic attack on London’s residents. My

heart goes out to those who had to experience the horror of it in

person and to those families who have lost loved ones as a result. I

am also so angered that terrorism continues.

As an American living in London and listening to what is being

reported on the news, I can’t help but think back to our own

unspeakable horror of Sept. 11, 2001. There is one overriding thought

that continually is coming to me: There is no one who is exempt of

being at risk of a possible terrorist attack. We cannot take our

safety for granted and must always be alert. I expect that, as in

America, there will be heightened security here in the United

Kingdom.

I wasn’t sure what reactions to expect from those around me. After

the initial shock of people at work finding out what had just

happened, and the uncertainty of the safety of loved ones, it seems

that people were not panicking. Rather, they were very solemn and

quiet -- trying to sort out in their minds what had just occurred and

waiting to see what will happen next. There are overall feelings of

sadness, horror and disbelief.

As for Thomas, he is off to the pub with his buddies for their

Thursday night out. The guys’ attitude is one I believe is shared by

many: Carry on; if you don’t, the terrorists accomplish what they set

out to do.

Living in a small suburb of London, we have felt very safe and

have taken the Tube numerous times into Central London to enjoy the

sights, shopping and terrific restaurants. We won’t be riding the

Underground anytime before our departure from London to Sweden.

Please keep people here in your prayers.

KRISTEN ANDERSSON

Chingford, England

* EDITOR’S NOTE: Kristen Andersson, 32, grew up in Costa Mesa. She

graduated from Newport Harbor High School and worked as a first-grade

teacher at Paularino Elementary School until moving to London last

year with her husband, Thomas Andersson. They live in Chingford,

northeast of central London, where she teaches 4- and 5-year-olds at

Larkswood Primary School.