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Before
Darkness, Awakens, To Rise
David Klovis grew up in
Fresno. His father had been in
the Air Force, loved everything about airplanes and moved
his family into a new home within a mile of the airport's
runway.
David had inherited his father's love of all things
associated with aviation. He never tired of watching the
aircraft land and take off--or hearing the growl of the ANG--144th
Fighter Wing, F-16 Fighting Falcons.
So it was that David had a house built as close to the
airport as the one he had lived in as a child. At most, it
was a ten minute drive from home to work--The Air National
Guard. Eight years ago Staff Sgt. David Klovis had made a
career of the Guard and he had never regretted his decision.
At thirty years of age he was very satisfied with life. He
had a wife, young daughter, and two lovable male Labs--one
black, one chocolate. He had a job he enjoyed and going home
at the end of the day was always a pleasure. His wife,
Ellie, with her ready smile and welcoming embrace was
something he looked forward to. Shortly after arriving home
he'd usually find his daughter, Ginene, in the backyard with
the Labs.
The two "boys" and his daughter were inseparable. David had
brought the siblings home six months before his daughter was
born. They were gifts; one for his wife and one for his
unborn daughter. Ellie had named them--the black pup was
Duncan, and the chocolate pup's name was Hunter.
Today they were celebrating their fifth birthday. True, the
boys' birthday and Ginene's were six months apart, but his
daughter insisted that their birthdays be observed on the
same day, as they were all family in her eyes.
He and Ellie had a special evening planned for Ginene and
the boys. A DVD rental, popcorn, and drinks. David was to
get take-out Chinese food for dinner. After their meal
they'd all gather in the family room to watch a Disney
movie, "Homeward Bound." Ellie was not too big on cake.
Neither were the boys. Popcorn was everyone's favorite and
was a must when watching a movie. Ice teas or diet colas
were the cool frosty beverages of choice.
When the night wore down and David and Ellie found the
little ones snuggled together on the soft carpet, with
pillows all around them... it was time for bed. David went
to Ginene and talked quietly to her, while rocking her
shoulder in an attempt to awaken her. He ended up pulling
his daughter into his arms and carrying her to her bedroom.
Ellie convinced the boys it was bedtime and directed them to
follow her. Reluctant, with sleepy faces on, they shuffled
behind.
David gently settled his daughter into her bed, pulled the
covers up to her chin and kissed her warm cheek. Ellie
nodded to the boys. They circled three times, then laid down
beside Ginene's bed. Within the hour they'd be nestled
'round Ginene. All three breathing deep and steady, dreaming
dreams and sighing contentedly.
After changing into his sleeping clothes, David lumbered
into the kitchen and prepared a pot of coffee. He pulled out
a chair and sat at the table. He was dearly hoping the
coffee would clear his mind, anchor his thoughts, so he
could sort out the frantic reality that was delivered to his
inbox earlier in the day.
"Honey, something the matter?" Ellie walked over to him and
gingerly put her hand on his neck. Her skin was cool and
silky. Her touch, calming. She sat down beside him, squeezed
his knee reassuringly.
His voice was rough, subdued. "I received orders today." He
turned to Ellie. "I'm being sent to Iraq."
Ellie drew in a quick breath, then bit her lower lip. Her
eyes grew wide and gleamed with sudden tears. She nodded,
flashed him a weak smile, put her hand to her mouth and
wept.
David pulled his wife to him and shut his eyes against the
bright heat of his own tears. Stroking her hair he repeated
the only thing he was able to utter.... "I love you. I love
you, Ellie."
~~*~~
The night before David was to leave he tucked Ginene into
bed, sat on the edge of the mattress and studied the drowsy
face of his little girl. Images of the day-to-day moments he
shared with his family played out in his thoughts. That is
what he'd miss the most--the simple pleasures that gave life
to the heart of him. He shook his head, then looked out into
the night. Winter's cold breath had frosted the edges of the
window. Unawares, David shivered.
He felt a tug on his sleeve. "Daddy, what's the matter?"
David turned to his daughter. "I'm going to be gone for a
while. I'm leaving tomorrow and you and Mommy will come to
the airport to see me off."
"Will you be back before dark? Will you be here to tuck me
in at night?" A troubled expression creased her brow.
David smiled. "I'd love that. But I don't know when I'll be
able to. Soon, I hope."
"Me, too!" She pursed her trembling lips. "I don't much like
the dark."
"Ah, Honey, I know." He nodded to the Labs. "Hunter and
Duncan will keep you safe."
Ginene looked from the Labs to her dad. She then reached out
and hugged her father around the neck.
~~*~~
It had been a splendid spring day. From her swing Ginene
watched heavy, fat clouds with gray bellies traveling west
from the Sierras. The setting sun cast clean, bright light
out, limning the clouds in an orangy glow. A breeze kicked
up and blew over Ginene like a sigh.
Hunter and Duncan were tussling on the lawn. They suddenly
looked up and whined happily.
Ginene climbed out of the swing and stood watching the Labs.
Curious as to why they were behaving so oddly.
"My sweet daughter, you have grown some since last I saw
you. Oh, how I have missed you."
Duncan and Hunter whimpered and wagged their tales. Ginene
crossed over to them and looked around.
"You two take care of her, will you?" The Labs stood,
one of each side of Ginene. They were panting and
smiling--their whole bodies wagging their welcome.
Then, with the senses that children and a few gifted adults
possess, she gazed out toward the sunset and muttered one
word... "Daddy?!"
~~*~~
That morning the global war on terrorism had claimed the
life of many American patriots. David was killed in a
grenade attack on the Iraqi-Kuwait border. His name, rank,
and cause of death would be added to the growing Memorial of
National Guard men and women who had given their lives for
the freedom of strangers.
To their family, they are everything. To their country, they
are the blood of the nation. The fiber of integrity, and
valor. They are the spirit of freedom and every American
should be proud to call them "kin."
May your day be blessed, and every day that wakens you
anew...
~~*~~***~~*~~
For all the men and women who have served their country, I
dedicate this story.
Copyright 2005, by Kathy Anne Harris
kathap@angelrays.biz
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