When September 11 wasn't 'September 11',

Cartoon by Lebanese artist Mazen Kerbaj.

When September 11 wasn't 'September 11' . . . . . .

we did not take off our shoes and belts, keys, small change, watches and other items at the airport conveyer belt.

We did not unpack our laptops in front of customs agents.

We did not pack our nail scissors and pocket knives in the suit case.

We did not separate the liquids from other carry-on luggage and pack it in zip-lock bags (this one totally eludes me? What on Earth is the repacking for?).

We did not fold strollers and pry warm soft teddy bears from sleepy toddlers arms’ and stuff them into x-ray machines.

We did not avoid wearing T-shirts with Arabic texts when flying.

We did not have female agents searching under our bra, and pat down our waist, chest and crotch.

And I still enjoyed flying those days.

September 11 almost passed by without me being reminded that it was ‘September 11’. But when at work I checked out some books, and wrote down the date on the check-out slip; the date has a 'heavy feel' to it.