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As if Tuesday, September 11th was not enough to overwhelm us, Wednesday was even worse. I entered the office and picked up messages since the prior day we closed the office early, distraught and eager to watch the television for any news. It was Scott Donnelly notifying AIC that Ron Gamboa, Dan Brandhorst and David, their three year old adopted son, were in the plane that crashed into the Twin Towers. It was just too much. What kind of insane people would harm a three-year-old? How can we make any sense of it? Rick, my husband, had just spoken to Ron since Rick was assisting them with facilitating another adoption. Ron mentioned that he would be out of town, and going to Boston for a business meeting. He said he would call when he got back to check and see if there was any "news". Now the television had direct connections, that horrific scene was personal. It involved someone we knew, not strangers. A family that we shared a common passion with: adoption. A good family and loving parents. We have all gone through these horrible days in a daze, questioning the uncertainty of what is to come, fearful for our children, for ourselves and relying on faith and our leaders to wisely protect us.
Ron and Dan were group leaders of the Pop Luck Club, an adoptive parent support group for same sex partners in Los Angeles. They were loved by so many family members and friends. They loved life, laughter, travel, each other and their son, David. Their memorial Mass was attended by hundreds of people who will dearly miss them. I will miss the wise cracking humor, working with them on their adoption, but am so glad that I was able to have known them, even if it was briefly. They opened our minds and our hearts and we thank them so very much for that. May they rest in peace, dear angels. |
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