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