Right here in Michigan, families are reacting to the impacts that were felt nearly 1,400 miles away.

Mark Willoughby, father of Emily Turner, who is stationed at Fort Hood with her husband Steven says, "We actually took a real minute in the living room and just sat down and said, 'Thank God we're okay.'"

While all the events were unfolding down south, the family was waiting and praying.

"You run a lot of scenarios through your mind. She was by herself when this was all taking place, and her husband steven was unavailable doing what he was supposed to be doing."

Emily was able to communicate through the internet, letting her family know she and steven were okay.

Sherry Willoughby, Emily's mother says, "Emily was still pretty rattled. She's concerned for the families down there who didn't make it and who are wounded. They're all coming together as a community."

In Lansing, Willinea Gambo feared for her son's safety after he was injured trying to get away from the gunman.

She says, "That scared the heck out of me, that means it's not as safe as I thought it was."

Her 26-year-old son, Raymond Saucedo is okay.

He was scheduled to deploy overseas next April.

It's unclear now if that deployment will be delayed.

Both families say they're looking forward to the weekend where they hope to be able to get some sleep and relax after all that has happened.