9/11. This day left its mark on every person that witnessed it, from near or far. For me, a Navy Wife, it was HELL!
That was a very important day 11 years ago. I was to have a phone interview for a job in Indiana. Eric was leaving on a training mission. And our beautiful baby girl was just about a year and a half old. We were living in Jax, FL at the time. That morning Eric got ready and got his seabag packed, it was sad as always whenever he had to leave, but he gave us both hugs and kisses. Told us he loved us and he would see us in a couple weeks. He left and Jenna and I just played at the house and then I was getting ready for my phone interview. I got my pen and paper. Jenna went down for a nap and I turned on the tv to wait for the phone call. I couldn't believe what I saw. I thought it was a movie for a minute, so changed the channels, and it was all the same thing. So I shut off the tv and then turned it back on..HOLY SHIT!!! This is real, not a movie. What about Eric????!!! Had to keep my composure for phone interview. Not sure what I said or even how long I was on the phone, but as soon as I hung up....I freaked out!!! What the hell is going on?? Should Jenna and I go somewhere because we are close to base, is everyone being attacked?? The first person I go to when I get scared is Eric, but he headed out to sea this morning. Then I get the phone call...Hi Honey, it's me. I love you, we are being rerouted. I am not sure when I will see or talk to you again, but I love you and please give Jenna a hug and kiss for me. That was it, brief and to the point. I realized later when I was able to take a breath that every person on that ship had to make the same phone call Eric just made.
I remember sitting on the couch, cell phone in one ear, home phone in the other. Parents asking what can they do, what do I need?? I remember being hysterical and crying and saying I don't know, I don't know what is going on, I just don't know. Being in the military although you never truly think about war, it is always in the back of your head. It is what you signed up for. But I guess I never really got it. I never needed to. When we said goodbye to Eric that day, that could have very well been the last day I ever had with my best friend, my husband, and the father to my child. I hoped he wasn't worried about us. I always promised him I would always take care of things on land and he would never need to worry. If he worried about us, he couldn't be on the top of his game.
Fortunately, he was able to come home to us safe and sound. The lengths the base went to to get them home safe and the families safely on base to get them was unlike anything I have ever seen. I have never seen such big guns. It was a double edged sword to go meet him because the base was on even higher alert being that a ship was pulling in. With that and the families, it was viewed as a perfect opportunity for another attack. Thankfully, there was no issue and he came home. But as this day comes every year, and I think back to that day, I am so very grateful that we made it through, but I still find myself asking why??? I know things happen and hopefully some day we will be fortunate enough to know why, but I can honestly say I don't know what reason something so hateful and hurtful would happen to the USA. Jenna was too young to know what happened, and I hope with all that I am, Jenna never needs to experience something like that firsthand.
I can't wait for this day to be over and done...
