Tuesday September 11, 2001 started out being a very sad day. I was going to a funeral. I do not like funerals, and particularly this one. I was going to the funeral of Frank Backman. He was Jean Backman's husband. Jean was with Coldwell Banker Baltimore Washington, later sold and name changed to Coldwell Banker Stevens. She was in charge of Training, a Senior Vice President, a Regional Vice President and an office manager, and my friend. Her husband had lost his battle with cancer and the memorial service was scheduled for 11:30 AM. I had called beforehand and asked her what help she needed, and she asked me to see if it was possible to be at her house early and make sure that the house was ready for when the guest arrived from the service. I called Esther Drourr and Phyllis Alpern and asked if they could help. Esther and Phyllis had both worked with Jean and me when we were all at Coldwell Banker. Esther is now at McEnnerny Realty and Phyllis is still at Coldwell Banker Stevens. I have since left and gone onto work at Long and Foster. We knew it was going to be a very sad day. We got there at 8:30 and helped the family get ready for the service. They were schedule to leave around 9:30 and we were working in the kitchen clearing the tables and getting ready to get started on our task when Esrther's daughter Michelle called to make sure that she was okay. We heard the news, turned on the TV and watch is disbelief. We went about our work, and the family left for the service at about 10:00 AM. Throughout the morning we would alternate between working and watching. The service ended around 12:30 and guest started to arrive. We were ready to feed an army. We had moved tables, set out the food, vacuumed the carpets, just your typical "brokers open" routine. One of the first persons I saw was a good friend - Bill Thatcher. I asked him how the service had been. He said it was a lovely service, but there were many people that had not made the service. I asked him who would not be there and was surprised with the answer, I then asked why. And Bill mentioned that many people had problems crossing the Beltway Bridge from McLean, Virginia to Potomac, Maryland over the Potomac due to the attacks that morning. Some started towards the bridge and had to turn around. At first I was angry. Then I questioned their commitment to Frank and Jean and then I settled on believing that each one of us did as they thought best. Tuesday September 11, 2001 will be a very sad day for many. I along many others will also miss Frank.

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