THE 1982 DENVER BLIZZARD

The war had begun and it was given the operation name “Desert Storm”. My son Steven was in the marines and already had traveled to the Philippines, Germany and then he was sent to Saudi Arabia where he and several other marines would push through to Kuwait. His responsibility was to defuse land mines placed in the desert floor by the enemy.

My husband Richard and I and children all nestled snug in our beds in Mesa, Arizona while all of this was going on. We fervently prayed each night for his and his fellow soldiers safety and protection. I believed in my heart that he would return but it was very difficult to think of him in harms way. He is my eldest son and I spent years preparing him for his future as a leader.

Many months passed with no word from him. Steven was stationed there from August to the month of March the following hear. During Christmas I put up a special tree, a small pine with lights which would be called “Steven’s tree”. Since he was not there we were to remember him and pray for him and all those fighting with him. Whenever anyone came to the house, I would tell them about the tree.

Throughout his time there, he was able to send me tapes of him telling about his experience. I was surprised that the tapes actually got through to us. I loved hearing from him and he sounded like a war correspondent, describing the weather, the moral of the soldiers and his feelings about the situation.

Finally, the war ended, he was able to return to the states in March. When he first arrived, of course we were ecstatic and overcome with relief. He brought his laundry in two huge duffle bags. They were soiled with sweat and oil from the burning oil rigs. He asked if I could wash them and I told him he’d have to iron his fatigues. The marine corp required that he iron his uniforms.

I’ll never forget the day we found out he had to go to war. That was my worst fear but with prayer we made it through those awful months of not knowing. I cried many nights not wanting my son to die and pleading with God to help him. I had to believe he would return to us.

Steven never stayed with Richard and me but went on to find his own place. He prematurely married an army girl which didn’t last long, maybe six months. He was just too eager to get back to normal. I don’t know the reason he had his marriage annulled or divorced and maybe in time he’ll tell me.

Now Steven is an aspiring, well-known artist with a long and honorable portfolio and resume that would make anyone proud. He lives in Phoenix and married a lovely Irish woman who has been his supporter and love for two years now. She has her own accolades with running marathons and long distance events to her involvement in politics in public relations and now working with different cities around Phoenix. His website is http://www.stevenyazzie.com/

One of Steven's pieces depicting the 48 sounds in the Navajo language. Each picture is about 16" square.