"It's not the end of the world," he said.

Hey, for him it wasn't.

For so many, of course, it was. And the rest of us fall somewhere in between. How do we know, from the outside, where the needle falls for any given person?

In April 2002, I told a ticket agent at a small airport in New Jersey that the large image of lower Manhattan (with the Trade Center intact) in their waiting room was — well, I didn't know how to describe it, so I said "kinda tough" but the look on my face said World Trade Center in an airport? Are you insane? The woman told me they'd received a lot of compliments for keeping it up. I told her to count my vote, too. It was insensitive.

Things no one should have to see. I heard and read that description many times from witnesses, police officers and firemen. For them, this week is bound to be very different than for the person supervising the Teaneck Airport who thought that, yes, it was a good idea to have a huge picture of the World Trade Center displayed for a captive audience — in an airport's only seating area.

Whoever you are, however that day and the ensuing two years affected you, may you encounter sensitivity and freedom to reflect as you choose.

Sept. 11, 2001 Links:

The Center of the World — PBS' special chapter of New York: A Documentary Film examines the rise and fall the World Trade Center. It airs Monday, Sept. 8 at 9 p.m.

Newsweek Cover Story: New Heroes, New Victims — The story of 433 Americans who have died in the war against terror.

Why Haven't More Joined 9/11 Fund? — Families of 9/11 victims are running out of time to claim from the government's compensation fund. But while some have eased their objections to the program, many still can't decide what to do.

'Tribute in Light' Returns on Sept. 11 — The captivating light beams will be back for one night only.

Remains of Up to 1,000 Victims of WTC Attack Might Never Be Identified — The most powerful sentence in the story: "The highest number of body parts matched to one person is more than 200."

Dug in at Ground Zero — Daniel Libeskind wants to ensure his lofty design goes up, and down, according to plan.

The Hidden Hero of 9/11 — George Tamaro's sunken wall held back the waters at Ground Zero, then emerged to shape the memorial there.

Rare Tape of WTC Attack Surfaces — A Czech immigrant construction worker owns the only videotape known to have captured both planes slamming into the World Trade Center.

The Children of 9/11 — There are about 3,051 children who lost a parent, 2,172 of whom were 17 or younger that day.