nmah6369.xml

nmah6369.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-11-23

My husband and I had just flown home to Alaska (four hours behind the Eastern Time Zone) from our wedding September 8th, finally arriving back to our house from the airport about 2 A.M. September 11th. Since we aniticipated being exhausted, we planned to sleep in.

Later that morning, I woke before he did, and I thought a wonderful way to wake him up for our first full married day in our home would be for me to sneak out to pet boarder to retreive our two Siberian Husky "kids." While I was standing in the lobby waiting for the dogs to come out, two people came in and said "I guess we're not flying today, I'm here to pick up my dog." I was confused and asked if there was something wrong with the airport. That is when everyone in the lobby looked at me in disbelief. They couldn't believe I didn't know what was happening.

I raced home and unfortunately had to wake my husband on our first day of our married life to the biggest national disaster of our lifetime.

Nearly everything was "over" by the time began watching the new accounts. After learning the true details, I couldn't handle continuing to watch the events. I had planned to fly out September 13th for a my first job interview that required me to travel to the client's site. In a strange twist of fate, this interview was with a major Federal government security contractor. I was terrified to fly and was continually torn about whether I should do it at all.

In October of the following year I had the opportunity to travel to Washington, DC and toured the September 11 exhibbition at the Smithsonian. All the emotion that had been packed away for 13 months came rushing to the surface. It was the most emotional visit to our nations capital I had ever experienced. In a strange twist of irony, I visited the DC and Virginia area at the same time as the Sniper Seige.

This experience seems so inconsequential in comparison to the complete devastation of so many lives, families, businesses, and national well being, but it is my story.

I don't take life for granted. I make sure I kiss my husband goodbye each time I leave him, even to go to the store. I make sure that I tell my friends and family how much they mean to me as much as possible.

I am completely patient during airport screenings and I try to help others remain patient when it appears to be wearing thin. I also thank each airport screener that I interact with, telling them how much they are appreciated for what they do.

How things that happen thousands of miles away can impact people just going about their daily lives. We are truly a "Global Village."

I have the flag flying outside our home at all times. I also have an emblem on my car.