To be a new New Yorker.

"Faced with the death of a man, a Christian never rejoices but reflects on the serious responsibility of each and every one of us before God and before man, and hopes and commits himself so that no event be an opportunity for further growth of hatred, but for peace."

- the official Vatican reaction to the news about Osama bin Laden's death

As a new New Yorker, my initial reaction to the news of bin Laden's death was fear, not joy, not pride in our nation's armed forces. When George Stephanopolous interrupted Brothers and Sisters on ABC to bring me the news at about 10:45 last night, my initial reaction was almost a sort of panic.

I'm scared that there will be retaliation. I'm scared that this is not the end.

Can the death of one man (albeit one very dangerous, despised, hated terrorist mastermind of a man) change anything? We've been at this war in the Middle East for 10 years now. With all the loss of American lives and also those of the Allied Forces, when is it enough?

It's a strange feeling to be as fiercely attached to New York as I am now, only having been here for 15 months, when I wasn't here 10 years ago for what was arguably the single most impactful event that has ever happened to New Yorkers and to Americans in general. 10 years ago, I was safe in the suburbs of Minneapolis while New Yorkers were experiencing the fear and violation of the September 11th attacks firsthand.

The news of Osama bin Laden's death reminded me that I haven't had to live through anything as devastating as 9/11, and God willing, I will never have to. But last night, after ABC brought us the news, I feared that there would (and still could be) a retaliation from Al Qaeda.

And where are they still most likely to strike? New York. Or Washington, D.C., where my brother, cousins, and many of my closest friends still live.

I saw all the pictures of GW students celebrating in front of the White House last night, and part of me wished I was still a student and still in D.C. But more than anything, I feel like we cannot celebrate just yet. We are not yet out of the dark.

We have an opportunity for peace approaching us, but I don't think it is quite within our grasp just yet. We can wait for it with our hands folded, or we can take this event and use it as a catalyst for change and for peace.