If you think we’re only suffering from PDSD here, let me add another basic trauma we are all suffering from – survivors’guilt.  How can I enjoy myself completely when my cousins are starved, tortured, frozen, suffering.  I think of the girls who have been mutilated, raped, tortured, and I can’t really enjoy myself completely.

Today two women in their seventies were killed in a terrorist attack.  A man in his forties was also killed – while his son watched.  Two soldiers were seriously injured as well.  I’ve been noticing more and more that old ladies like me are good targets of terrorists – the terrorist has to fill a quota and we are easier targets.  Even that affects me.  

I once had a trainer who I asked to teach me some self defence.  He started with a pillow against his chest, and he asked me to hit him.  I failed again and again.  Maybe because he was such a nice guy – maybe because I’ve never learned violence.  I’m sure most of the women my age are like that.

But anyway how do you fight against armed men?

So there’s a third syndrome we’re operating with – fear.