H and D Forever

Less than thirty days from now is the 22nd anniversary of the September 11, 2001 murderous, cowardly attacks.  Among those souls who were lost on that terrible Tuesday morning was Donald Leroy Adams of Chatham, New Jersey.   He was just twenty-eight years old.  

Donald L. Adams - Cantor Fitzgerald 

Photo Credit:  Heda Adams 

He was one of the 658 Cantor Fitzgerald employees murdered that morning.  A Vice-President of Sales in the firm's electronic trading division, eSpeed, he was on the 105th floor of the North Tower when it was struck.  

Donald Adams and his wife, Heda, both graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, where he was an offensive lineman on the school's football team.  Just six months before he was murdered, the couple welcomed their first child.  Heda Adams and baby Rebecca would, on summer evenings, sit on the front porch of the family's home in Chatham waiting for him to walk up the road from the train station, listening for him to greet them with, "There's my girls!"  

Heda Adams' eloquence is something that I cannot match.  I shall not attempt to do so.  Hers is extraordinary: 

Donald Adams, standing 6'5", was an impressive sight, but his personality was even more impressive.  He had a tremendous love for life.  As soon as you met him you could feel it.  He greeted you with a hello that could be heard from miles and a handshake that meant business.  Before long you were hugging and sharing stories and meeting at a bar for drinks.  His friends became his family and once you were family you were connected.  That meant going out to dinner, coming to the house for gatherings and, of course, golfing.  For those who played golf with Don knew you played until you dropped.  Golf to Don was like water to fish. 

The most important part of his life was his family, his daughter Rebecca and myself, his wife.  He was a devoted husband and father.  Our wedding 3 1/2 years ago was a magical day which brought our spirits together as one.  The birth of our daughter was a miracle that brought our physical beings together as one.  Our lives became complete with Rebecca.  In the 5 months that he knew Rebecca, Don gave her more love than some people receive in a lifetime.  At the end of the day, a kiss went to Rebecca and a kiss went to me.  His world was complete.  

Now as we move on and pick up the pieces, we draw on Don's strength and love for life to get us out of the dark. 

D, I love you and miss you.  H.  

-AK