When we got to Twentynine Palms there was a housing shortage and we were having such a hard time finding a place. We had 24 hours and then we would not even have a room at the hostess house.We found a home, much smaller than we wanted, but we had a huge sense of relief. Life was good. TMO was coming at 8:30 on September 11, 2001.
We woke up early and I was feeding Jack. Because we were driving from North Carolina to Virginia to Chicago to California with two small children, my Mom had bought us a small TV with a VCR built in for the truck. We had that sitting on a camping table. My sister called from Chicago and asked what we were doing. I said I was feeding the baby. She asked if we had a TV. I explained we were watching Dora on tape at the moment and then asked why she had called so early to ask about our viewing choices. She told me that an airplane had hit the World Trade Center. My first thought was that I had a job in North Carolina where, on numerous occasions, I spoke with people that worked in the WTC. I wondered if they were all safe. I also understood the magnitude of what that meant.....how many people worked there and the possibilities of how catastrophic that could be. We turned the TV to a station that had the scene live. Just in time to see the second plane hit. Don had not even checked in yet but he looked at the TV and walked off to the bedroom. He came back with the ironing board and his cammies and started ironing. I remember how terrifying that moment was. To think we had just been attacked HERE, and that my husband wore a uniform that meant he defended us......and that there may be a need to be defended. I looked out our big picture window at the sand and the mountain. How close could you feel to Afghanistan? You’d know if you’d ever been to Twentynine Palms. In just that second our lives changed. My husband’s training had a very real purpose. We should remember that fear a little every day. We should support those that continue to keep us safe. Firefighters, police officers, our military. God bless them and keep them safe.
Your post was beautiful. I checked out your profile. I’m so sorry for your loss of your brave and handsome husband.
May God bless you and your precious children.
Deb, I checked your home page, and I am humbled.
Thank you for the sacrifice you have endured.
I cannot see my keyboard so well—I wish you comfort and grace and God’s protection and provision for you and your lovely children.
Their Dad would be so proud.
Thank you for your sacrifice. God bless you and your family.
I thank God for men such as your husband who give all. God bless you and your beautiful family.
Amen