Thursday, July 7, 2005

I Wondered When London Would Get Hit

My biggest concern when my younger daughter moved to London three years ago was terrorism.  We had a couple of talks about it and she just accepted it as a risk of living in a large international city.  Over time I relaxed.

Until today.

I woke up at 5:30 this morning to hear about the explosions in the London Underground and on the buses.

My daughter takes the Underground to work. At least she did last year. I wasn't worried about her boyfriend.  He drives and works outside the main part of the city.

So I started calling her office and her cell phone.  

It took twenty minutes because I couldn't get through at first. Lots of trunkline busy signals.

Then I got her office and left a message.  Hi, it's Mom, let me know you're okay please.

I called her house and left and message. I'm not sure what I said. But I know I sounded panicked.

I tried her cell phone [or MOBILE in British speak] several times.  A couple of times it wouldn't connect. Other times I got a busy signal.

Then I called her sister out west. Might as well alarm EVERYONE.  I got her cell phone voicemail.  And sounded the MOM alarm. There are explosions in the London Underground.  And on some buses.  Let me know if you hear anything.

Finally, I got through to my London daughter.  Her cell rang.  And I heard, Hi, Mom.I'm okay. [PHEW] I was going to call, but I didn't think you'd be up. [DOESN'T MATTER NOW]  Don't panic. [NO, NOT ME.]

She was in a meeting on a conference call and wouldn't have answered normally, but she knew what the call was about. So I let her get back to work.

Then I called my other daughter back.  She answered  and I told her everything was okay. She's visiting her dad. I heard him in the background. His firm has a London office. He was probably trying to connect to London too.

She also told me that her sister doesn't take the Underground anymore because her company offices have moved away from the central city. I feel better knowing that. 

But how come moms are always the last to know these things?

I think I'll go back to bed. I've had enough excitement for the day.




13 comments:

Anonymous said...

You poor dear. Take the day off. Once you're wakened with a fright, the rest of the day is blown. I'm glad everyone's okay.

Anonymous said...

so glad she is all right....... big hugs your way. judi

Anonymous said...

Actually, a regiment of pissed off women could go a long way. Withhold the Pamrpin and give them weapons.

But i think that making oil obsolete would dry up their financial resources and ability to fund training camps. It's slower, but ultimately more effective. And won't be as costly as this war in lives lost and money from our own pockets.

Mrs. L

Anonymous said...

Thank goodness she's OK!  

Anonymous said...

I am so glad she's ok!

Anonymous said...

So glad your daughter is Ok.

Anonymous said...

Glad she's alright! :)

Maria

Anonymous said...

tears of joy :`)

Anonymous said...

OMG you must have been going nuts!!!

Anonymous said...

Mrs L ......hope you managed to get some sleep .....glad shes safe ....still watching the news a day later ....watching as now in scotland a mass movement of police is decending on the g8 camps trying to stop the activists moving out to glasgow today for a huge protest ....im staying home x

Anonymous said...

Glad your daughter was okay, that must have been a scary time for you!  The odds are low, but you just never know.  A very sad day in the world... --Albert

Anonymous said...

You probably put the covers over your head, too. Poor thing. It's hard enough being a mother without terrorists doing things like that. Don't terrorists have children?

xxoo

Anonymous said...

so glad all is okay mrs. L -

the whole thing is so horrible..