"I am very proud to be a member of the foundation because it has helped me cope with the death of my husband by helping other survivors. I learned to let go of grief by talking to other families and listening to their stories. The foundation will always be close to my heart, for through them, I can face tomorrow knowing that they will always be there for me."
It was a warm Sunday morning in August of 1998. My son and I were on our way to church when we met the fire truck on its way to a fire. I looked in the truck and saw Larry and his brother, Henry Lee, on their way to the fire with Larry blowing the horn.
I will never forget that day because that was my last time seeing my husband alive and on his way to do what he loved. I could go on and on about that day, but the main thing I choose to remember is the smile on his face as the truck rushed by with him waving at me.
I know that one day I will see that smile again, with him waving hello instead of good-bye. I didn't learn that over night. It took time to accept and learning to depend on God. I had a hard time coping with his death, but I knew I had to go on. I became involved with the foundation through the invite to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Memorial services. There, I met families just like me and made new friends and a new family. With a Foundation Scholarship, I went back to college and received my diploma in Business; but that was not enough. So, I am in school now working on getting my Associate's degree in Applied Science in Business Administration.