I once knew a little girl who, upon hearing a siren sounding, would go into near hysterics with worry. Plugging her ears in an attempt to block out the sound, she would pace nervously back and forth until the sound disappeared. I remember watching her go through this exercise.
On a different level, I can relate to this youngster’s terrors. Having been on the scene when emergency services were needed on a few occasions, I can tell you that those moments between dialing 9-1-1 and help arriving feels never-ending. You are helpless, even when you are doing CPR or other life-sustaining measures.
Even when I’m not behind the scenes, the sound of those sirens sets off my emotions. I wonder who, what, where, when, and why? If my loved ones are out of sight, my worry for them is ignited.
Now picture this:
I’m in the crowded stands of my son’s football game. It is between games and there is a special 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony going on. Amazing Grace is being played on bagpipes during the moment of (almost) silence… and the fire department, who have been dispatched to a call, stream away with lights and sirens blaring. Yeah, beautiful as it was, it left me completely destroyed.
9/11… 9-1-1. I may be the last person on the planet to draw the connection.
There were so many emotions stirred during this moment. BoBo now in the Air Force with the war still raging 10 years after the 9/11 attacks was a biggie. The song, as amazingly beautiful as it is, will forever remind me of loved one’s funerals, especially with the anniversary of papa’s death approaching. Now add the love-of-my-life heading off the airport for an international flight – ON SEPTEMBER 11th!
Train wreck, I tell you. I was a train wreck.
Thankfully, I received a text message alerting me to his arrival on Monday morning. Of course I cried, but these tears were ones of relief. Five days later, he is on his return trip. Of course, I’m online tracking his flight. It appears to have experienced a delayed departure due to “aircraft servicing.” *deep breath* He’ll be fine. I know he’ll be fine.
For my sanity sake, please redirect all ambulances, fire engines, and police cars out of earshot.