SukritiNightmare Came True
The biggest nightmare of every military wife is seeing uniformed officers at her door when her husband is on duty. This was the biggest fear for Emma too but she always dismissed the negative thoughts with the positive ones and this how her life was going on, seeing Kiley grow and keeping herself indulged in something or the other, unaware of the fact that soon everyone’s nightmare was about to become her reality.
One September Morning
The weather was changing and Emma was busy with her daily routines when the drastic day came. On September 9th, 2010, it was an early morning after Kiley finally fell asleep, Emma was trying to take a nap again, as Kiley kept her awake for hours throughout the night. The doorbell rang, nobody comes to her place at this time which gave her some bad thoughts. She went downstairs to open the door and noticed two uniformed officers.
Bitter Reality
On September 9, 2010, 1st Lt. Todd was leading a dismounted patrol in Kandahar, Afghanistan when his unit was attacked by opposite group who carried an improvised explosive device. Todd was severely injured in the explosion. When taken to the hospital his condition degraded with time and he died. Todd was no more and the horrible news was breaking Emma into pieces. What was next in the box of life for Emma was completely unexpected.
A Grim Truth
They shared good and bad times together and this unfortunate incident took the love of her life away forever. The thought of never being able to see his sparkling smile and hearing his cheerful laugh was so traumatic that she sat there on her couch all numb for a while. Emma agreed that her ‘world was instantly destroyed’ her in a blink of the eyes. The other thought that was making her hopeless was of Kiley.
Still Too Young
Kiley was too young when Todd died and the only memories she’ll have of her father were the recorded videos of her with her father. She wouldn’t know how much he loved her. The time was being cruel but looking at Kiley kept Emma moving.
Difficult Times
Next day Todd’s body was brought to his hometown from Afghanistan. He was home but not alive. His funeral took place in Arlington National Cemetery where he was buried. His bravery hadn’t gone in vain. His dedication and hard work were admired on a nationwide level. He lived a life he wished for, he lived and died for his nation and that’s what brought pride to Emma. Sadly, pride can never fill the emptiness. Time and fate play strange games, after taking her husband away, there was still a hidden secret that Emma was yet to discover.