My fiancée and I were in bed sleeping after taking turns staying up with sick children. I awoke to a telephone call from my grandmother in Price, Utah telling me to turn on the television; a tragedy happened in New York. I hung up the phone and woke up John. We turned on the television and watch the news in absolute horror.

My first response was to run to my children’s school and pick them up in fear of the unknown. Tears ran down both our faces as we watched the rescuers, firefighters, policeman and all other involved faithfully trying to rescue anyone that they could. I wanted to take the first flight to New York and do what I could to help. Instead I stayed here in Utah where I donated blood every third day for the victims that needed it & packed supplies with the local rescue missions here.

I still to this day cry every time I think about what happened on that day. I am very grateful that I have my family here with me and feel the saddest feeling every time I think of what families have lost. I have a close friend that lives in New York and it is a struggle for him everyday. For all those that have lost you are in my prayers, for all those that have learned and gained from this – ONLY WE CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE.