My friend posted this on her blog early this morning. Edited to remove names.
My 7 year old daughter and I were talking to my husband (in Iraq) via an Internet phone connection. Suddenly we hear a crash and a lot of weird (for lack of a better word) noise coming from him. After not being able to get him to respond, I panicked. I called my friend whose husband works very near to him and she was able to call her husband and ask to have someone run over and check on him. The connection was still going on the Internet, and, although I couldn't see anything, I could hear someone come into the room and start yelling at him and yelling for help I think. It was horrible! I said, "This is his wife. Is he ok?" No response. I hear someone else say "He has a pulse....he's not breathing." Then I hear counting to 5 over and over. Finally, I hear a voice say, "Ma'am, are you still there?" I answer yes, and ask again if he is ok. The guy just says, "No, he's not." Shortly after, I lose the connection and his computer has gone offline.
I found out this morning, after hours of uncertanty, she recieved a visit from several soldiers who informed her that her husband was dead. This is a family that I know and love. I know his mother. Our kids go to preschool together. She was watching MY kids just hours before this happened. I can't imagine how she feels...all I know is that my heart is breaking for her.
Of course my church is on the ball. By 11 am, she has meals and visitors organized for weeks. I just wish there was something I could do....nothing will make it better, but damn it. This just feels so unfair, so wrong. His daughter heard him die. His wife had to wait for hours for an answer. There are other horrible military mistakes that may have contributed to his death and I can only imagine that if I am thinking about these questions, then what must she be going through.
I know she will be overwhelmed today, so I've arranged for a sitter to watch Maddy and I'll go over tomorrow morning. I just want to cry and I can't stop.