Another layout made with the studio calico July kit-My Mind's Eye, Making Memories, etc with Daisy D stitches tape runner and American Crafts punctuation.
The background is this: (names/places vague to protect the soldiers and their families, and the mission)
On 10/11/2005 my dh was the captain of a small unit that was conducting a mission late at night in Iraq. Their vehicle exploded when an IED detonated. My dh's driver M was killed instantly, their gunner K was critically wounded, and my dh was trapped in the burning vehicle. By some miracle, the wreckage shifted and he was able to crawl out. He suffered serious and severe burns and he had a bad injury to his right knee.
I would receive that news stateside on 10/12/05 due to the time difference. I had been so anxious all weekend, it was like I knew something horrible was going to happen and I was unable to stop it. I never got the chance to tell my dh that, he didn't call before the mission. I would see him a week later in the burn unit at San Antonio TX. His recovery was long, and painful. But today he just has the scars.
We both deal with survivor's guilt, which is weird because it hits us when things are going well. K is permanently disabled, but he lived. We attended several funerals and memorial services for M. His wife is just the sweetest, and I hurt and pray for her every day. I know that if that IED had been a little more to the center of the vehicle or if the wreckage hadn't shifted, that I would have joined her as a widow. If it had been more to my dh's side of the vehicle, well, maybe she would have had the family she always wanted with her dh and she would be praying for me daily. That is what the layout is about.
Anyway, sorry to take you to my dark and twisty place. Let's never go there again shall we? On a lighter note, I have found the color in the SC kit, can't wait to share some colorful layouts with you next time. If I haven't scared you off.
21 comments:
omg. I can't imagine what you are going through now. I am so thankful that your husband is all right.
You are both beyond brave.
I will keep you in my good thoughts.
(on a lighter not- your layout is beautifully done. )
Bless your heart....this makes me weep for those who have dedicated and sacrificied so much. Many, many positive thoughts, and prayers, for you as you are thinking about what transpired. As well as for your DH.
Thanks for sharing this with us. Beautifully done.
Please, never be sorry to share reality. If you feel the need to go there again, please feel free. If not, that's okay.
As you keep M's wife in your prayers, I will keep you in my prayers. Your burden is not insignificant nor is it selfish or unreasonable to recognize the burden that comes from what you and your husband have expereinced. I am glad you can express yourself in your scrapbooking.
I also pray for your husband's heart and mind to continue to heal from what he expereinced, and for whatever continued healing needs to happen with his body as well.
I am so glad that you shared your story!! I truly think that is part of the purpose of scrapbooking. Scraptherapy....its a beautiful thing! I am so thankful for those who have risked so much for our freedome. My thoughts and prayers are with you!!
My heart goes out to you. I cannot begin to imagine your suffering or the heartache of those who have lost loved ones. My son is in the Air Force. My boss lost his youngest son, a Marine, age 26 in Ubaydi, Iraq in Nov. 2005. The Marines came to the office to inform him. I had to go to the courthouse and get him out of court and back to the office without telling him why. He knew. It was beyond heart-breaking to walk through the door and for him to see those Marines, then to stand back and hear those words spoken to him. I pray God bless and protect our American men & women. You are brave to share and express what has happened to you and in the sharing may you find peace in your hearts. Please tell your husband that I am grateful that he would risk his life for my freedom.
girl you are going to make me cry!!!! i know you are thankful that your husband made it! i love your layout, so touching and gorgeous! what is up with the 10am thunderstorm?! at least it cooled things off a bit ;)
I'm so glad your dh wasn't hurt worse but can understand how you feel. You did a beautiful job on the LO.
Such an amazing layout.
This is an amazing LO. It has made me cry. What a legacy of memories.
i am so glad you shared that with us. i have never heard any real accounts from those to whom it really happens. thank you for a real reminder on how important it is to keep those who serve in our prayers daily.
I am so touched by your layout and journaling and also by those who risk their lives for our freedom! Thank you for the reminder of how precious that is, thank your husband for his service to Our country and my God give you a peace that passes all understanding re: the loss of the other men and the could have beens.
Oh,Danielle, I remember your phone call, and I get goose bumps thinking about it. I am so thankful that he is doing so well, and that he is such a great role model for J.
Always hugs...
sunni
What an amazing story and small, small world. My husband thought about working at that very burn unit.
I'm so glad for you that you aren't that widow, but am so sad for the one's that are. A huge huge thanks that can never truly be expressed to your husband for providing me with the freedoms I have as an American. And to you, too, for being his wife and living the life of a military spouse.
:)
yeah, so i'm pretty sure i probably shouldn't have read this right now.
i'm amazed you could scrap this.
pretty powerful stuff.
Thank you for sharing this Danielle. Thank you to you and your husband for your sacrifices. I will pray for your continued healing.
I'm speechless.
{the reality of freedom is never free}
Just breaks my heart. (hugs)
I don't know how you Army wives do it. I admire you!!
Hugs to you and to your husband. I cannot imagine the pain but am glad that you are able to share it with us through your gorgeous artwork.
thanks for sharing, made me think about all those so far from home. Beautiful layout.
I recently started reading your blog after you joined the Cosmo Cricket design team. Thank you so much for sharing that story and for the sacrifices you and your family have made! God Bless.
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