9/11 is a day that brings back a tsunami of emotions for my wife and me. We all remember where we were on 9/11. This is where I was…..
My wife Karla and I awoke at the Ronald McDonald House in downtown Austin. Our 3 month old daughter Olivia was recovering from open heart surgery at Austin Children's Hospital. I can't go in to detail regarding Olivia's open heart surgery because it would take a book to do that. But after 5 days of prayer, miracles and the incredibly talented and gifted hospital staff, there was hope. Olivia's heart had gone from complete failure to 5% function. As you can see my princess was not out of the woods but was slowly making her way to the edge of the forest. Karla and I were emotionally exhausted. At around 5am on 9/11 I returned from Olivia's room to join Karla at the Ronald McDonald House to get some sleep. At around 9am Karla and I awoke and phoned our friends who were taking care of our 4 year old son Luke. We had no TV and no idea that our country was being attacked. Our friends who were taking care of Luke gave Karla the news. I remember saying to Karla after she relayed the news to me, "What do you mean the World Trade Centers are gone and the Pentagon has been hit and there is a plane still missing?" We quickly went downstairs to watch the coverage of the attacks and then headed over to Olivia's room. I remember as we watched the coverage in her room there was talk within the hospital staff regarding back up generators. The fear was that Austin might get attacked and the hospital might lose power hence the generator talk. I vividly remember at around 5pm rush hour I walked across Red River Street in downtown Austin to grab something from our room at the RMH and there was nobody in the city. The traffic lights were functioning as usual but there were no cars or pedestrians.
Karla and I ended up living at the Ronald McDonald House and Austin Children's Hospital for about 6 weeks during that time. And although Olivia made a full recovery and is now a 2nd grader who loves soccer and Hannah Montana (and her daddy) every 9/11 is bitter sweet for me. This day reminds me of how fragile our lives, and relationships are, and how precious our freedom is. My prayers and thoughts are with everyone who lost loved ones during the attacks.
God Bless You and God Bless America.
RT