Dear Daddy,
Today is the 10th anniversary of the day our lives changed forever. The date is September 11, 2011 it is also my 15th birthday, even though most young women don't remember anything about their childhood I remember that day crystal clear.
Living in New York I, like everyone else that day was up early and eager to get to my ballet class that Mommy signed me up for.
It was 8:42 am. I was sitting on the counter kicking my legs as Mommy put on my shoes. That's when the first plane hit, that was the scariest thing I have ever witnessed, the bright blue sky filled with rich black smoke.
The calmness and peace of America suddenly replaced by anger, fear and pride I always thought that America would be safe, and that no one would ever hurt this beautiful country. I never got more of an awakening than the day the world stopped turning.
Now Daddy with you in Iraq I have a new understanding of what it means to be an American, and although you can't tell me where you are or where you are going I feel as close to you as I ever have. Don't think that this means I don't want you home because I do.
I want you to meet all of my friends and come and see one of my plays at school. I want us to go het ice cream at Dairy Queen like we used to, for us to sit on the tailgate of your truck and talk about Banana cars or any other silly things that pop into our minds.
Daddy, what I am trying to say is I want you to stay safe and come home to me, I really miss you and I try to stay strong for Mommy and not cry, I try Daddy but it hurts. Every night I sleep with the light on hoping that you will come home and tuck me in, so I am safe and warm in my bed. At 15 I know the harsh reality of it, I am safe and warm in my room next to Mommy's and you are half way across the world awake because it's the middle of the day. When you do sleep it is on the floor or a small cot, in the cold weather of the desert, while hot during the day it cools down there at night. When I am eating dinner at the table with the family it hurts to know you're not there. Or when I go to school and I hear a girl complaining about her Dad and how mean he is because he won't let her go to a party, I sit there and wish silently to myself that you were here to keep me from parties.
Like you always told me "Nothing lasts forever" and I know that is true of this war. With the rest of the troop's home from Iraq my faith that you will come home soon is now stronger than ever. Thank you daddy for fighting for my freedom and our beautiful country every night I continue to pray that god will bring you home many of those nights I cry myself to sleep but that will all be over soon.
With Love.
Shawn