AIR FORCE DIARIES
by Marquita R. Barr
DECEMBER 31, 2001 - 9:27pm EST-----HAPPY New Year?
I certainly
hope so. This past year I’ve had more downs that ups, but no
matter. If the next 3 hours are peaceful and calm, I will relish
the idea that I am alive and well, though alone. Now I am not
trying to draw sympathy. This year this was my choice.
Fear, nevertheless, is my motivation or should I say
non-motivation. The idea of walking to my apartment at night
again and facing a mugger is too all encompassing. All the Clubs
on the Base are having New Year Eves bashes, but most of the Officer’s
I spoke to will be spending quite time at home, also.
SO!! Have you
figured out that the “Most Dangerous Job” on Base is mail
handler? The Airmen who deliver mail show up with facemasks and
industrial strength rubber gloves. Then hand you your mail.
Makes you not want it. However, this “Anthrax” contamination of
the Washington, D.C mail, shadowed by the deaths due to the Anthrax
virus by many citizens from contact with Anthrax infected mail, has put
everyone in panic mode. What’s more disquieting is the fact that
our law enforcement officials have no clue who, what, or where the
Anthrax contaminated letters are coming from. Most of us, though,
are almost positive that this menace is home grown.
Now on a
lighter note---Did this Ladylegend pull her “party-crashing act” and
show up ex invitatione at the Air Force Christmas Ball?? You bet
your buggy I didn’t. My luck has been running so bad, lately, I
could not tempt fate and risk getting thrown out on my ample rear
end. So I stayed home---again. Heard it was a blast, though.
Christmas I
traveled to Chicago to visit kids, and grandson. What a marvelous
time. I came back with more presents than I had ever anticipated,
including 2 Johnny Mathis Christmas CD’s (Scream!). My grandson,
Duane Randall Meighan, Jr. is beautiful, smart, and an all around
marvelous baby. I got to spend a lot of time with him, and shower
him with love and presents. As did his other grandmother,
Jeanette Meighan. Uncle Gordon Meighan, and aunt Melinda Barr
also were there as well as my ex-husb and father-in-law. Duane
Sr. and my youngest daughter, Ayanna were the host and
hostess. The whole weekend was lovely, marred only by a
rift with my oldest daughter, Melinda, who I suspect is getting
extremely stressed due to her job, recent break-up with beau of 8
years, and maybe other things. Hope the New Year brings her a new
and improved outlook on life.
The trial to
convict the hit and run murderer of my nephew, Marcus. starts January
10, 2002. My sister is holding up well, considering the fact that
the killer was let out on $50,000 bond. My 73-year-old mother is
flying there to be with my sister during the trial. I hope it is
a quick and speedy process with no extensions or appeals. My
nephew’s death was quick, and his 11-year-old life brought to a speedy
end by this monster, Richard Lee Robinson, age 42.
It’s now
10:12pm. Coming up on the second year of the New Millennium. The
affect of the terrorists on the populous is beginning to quell.
That in itself is scary. We must not become too complacent,
again. And---for the most part I don’t think we are.
I can imagine
the New Year Celebration around the Capitol is fabulous. Boy, I
wish things were different so I could go there and feel safe---and also
feel safe coming home. There will not be another year to
experience this. My assignment ends May 31, 2002. OH WELL!
MAY GOD WALK WITH US AND LEAD US DOWN A SAFE PATHWAY TO A PEACEFUL AND ENJOYABLE EXISTENCE IN THIS LAND THAT WE LIVE.
