story7586.xml

story7586.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-16

The day I call now worst day in my life already started out bad for me. I did not go to work that day, since I was not feeling to well with the cold I had caught. Around 2:30 pm German time (about 8:30 am in New York) I decided to move from the bed to the couch to watch some TV. And then I saw what I can still not believe to this day. First one, then a second plane hit the two towers of the WTC. I was in instant shock, knowing that my husband, who is a SGT in the US Army, works only hours away from the Pentagon. When the Pentagon was hit, I finally had him on the phone. He then worked for the US Army in a "secret" place not far away from the Pentagon. I cannot say more about this place other than he was in immediate danger. In the background I heard nervous voices, yelling....My heart wanted to stop beating, I was so scared to lose what is most precious to me. He did not have time to talk, nor was he allowed to say anything. He gave me a kiss over the phone and told me that he loves me. Then the phone line went dead....
I went back to the TV and could not believe my eyes. I guess I cried all day long. I thought of all the loved-ones, who would lose their daddys, moms, sisters, brothers, relatives, friends, coworkers....
And then again I could only think of my hubby and hoping he would make it thru the days to come.
The next day he called me briefly to let me know that he would have to go to Washington DC to help reinstall phones. My husband is a cable wire installer in the Army. He takes great pride in what he does; he is a person that would give anything to help others. He was honored to have been picked to go to Washington DC. Yet, I was home in Germany, scared to death.
He spent one week in DC. And although I could not talk to him on the phone, cause where he was, talking on the phone was not allowed, I sent him faxes with hugs and kisses and funny stories to support him and to let him know how proud I was of him doing his job for his country.
Not one day has gone by ever since that I do not thank God for letting me keep the person I love so much. In anger and deepest grief I think of all the people lost and of all the ones, who were not as lucky as my hubby and me. Ever since that horrible day, I cherish my life with my husband more than ever before.
Life is too short to worry about little things like money, cars, house....I have learned my lesson to thank God for what I have with me in life and to cherish the love I get from my husband.
My heart goes out to all the victims of 09/11 and their families. I hope that they will be able one day to live their lives without pain. I honor the men and women, who defend this great country. I will sign up to be an officer in the US Air Force shortly, so I can do my share.
This was my story - a lucky one without a loss.