I was just beginning to teach the first reading class of the day during my student teaching experience at Academy Elementary in Guymon, OK. I was almost five hours away from Oklahoma City, but I knew so many people who were right there. I was concerned for my friends and loved ones. I was scared. I was 22 and trying to help over 80 5th grade students deal with the fact that a large building in their state capital had just been destroyed. It was a day I would never want to relive, but it is a day that sticks with me every time I go to Oklahoma City.
I went to the site of the Murrah Building just before it was demolished in May, 1995. I saw firsthand the destruction the bombing left behind. I saw the office building where so many lives (even children and babies) were taken. I took pictures. Upon getting them developed (this was before everyone had digital cameras), I filed them in my photo album and didn't pay much attention. Now, I sometimes find myself looking back at them and wondering about the lives affected still to this day.
I went to the Memorial site in 2000. It is a beautiful, peaceful place. I especially like the tree that survived the blast and is there to help others see that life goes on.
It's hard to believe it's been 15 years, and in other ways it seems like it could have been yesterday. My thoughts and prayers today are with the families and friends of the victims of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, OK on April 19, 1995.
Where were you?
Photo taken September 18, 2004 by Dustin M. Ramsey
7 comments:
Oh Amy, thank you my friend for playing along! We had several college friends who lived nearby or had family in nearby buildings that day. So hard to imagine how the Mother's felt w/ those babies. Great post. ♥Mrs. Hart♥
The peacefulness at the memorial is the one thing that struck me the most. I was awestruck at the quiet of the place.
Thank you for linking up today!
~~Mrs. Nesbitt
Thank you, Mrs. Hart! You RHOK!
Mrs. Nesbitt, I was speechless (a rare event) when I went to the memorial park site. I was with some friends from college (one of whom was getting married the next day). It was a quiet time in the evening. We had the place all to ourselves. A few great friends no talking and just appreciating what we had.
what an emotional day for you that must have been!! What great responsibility you had to be over children during that day!! Bless you!
It doesn't seem like 15 years, does it? Nice post.
Enjoyed this. Thanks for playing!
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