I've had two major events in my life that changed the path my life was taking.  Tomorrow is September 11^th and that fateful day was the second event that changed where I thought I was going with my life.   The first was the loss of my husband, an Air Force pilot on a mission in the Middle East

On September 11^th I was across the country in Seattle, Washington on a business trip to Microsoft.   I woke up early due to the time difference and flipped on the TV, something that I didn't normally do.   Like everyone else around the world I was glued to the set and immediately worried about friends and family. My son was scheduled to go to an interview in the Pentagon that morning.  Of course all of the phone lines were jammed and all I could do is keep hitting the redial button.   I wandered over to the meeting at Microsoft but none of us could get any work done.  We gave up after a couple of hours so that we could try and reach our families and figure out how we were going to get home.

Fortunately I was able to track down my family and after spending 5 days trying to get back to DC.  I managed to find a flight that would get me to Baltimore.  Close enough.  I met some nice people along the way and even though the airport lines were unbelievable you didn't see or hear a single person complaining about the process.  That trip changed my future.  Within a month of returning I decided that I didn't want the road warrior lifestyle anymore.   Despite the lure of frequent flyer miles  and the great corporate salary I was bringing in, it was time to be able to spend more time with my family and friends.  My company tried to get me to change my mind but I knew that my heart was no longer in it.

I have always been grateful that my family was safe and that I had the choice to make a change to another career.  So many others didn't and still don't today have that option.  The career changed turned out to be real estate and it has been a wonderful change.  Now I blog for points instead of fly for miles.

I'll have my flag on my balcony tomorrow even though our condo rules prohibit it.  I don't care.  The day requires me to stop and remember how my life was changed because of what so many others lost.   I have vowed that today will be a day that I always look forward and give thanks to all of those heros who lost their lives and to all of the other heros in our lives who sacrifice themselves so that we can celebrate our freedom.

Never forget!