April 19, 2008

13 years ago today.

I was teaching precious, innocent 3rd graders in Bixby, OK when I heard about the OKC Bombing. At 9:02 that morning I was supposed to be one block away from the Murrah Building at the Oklahoma Board of Education getting a copy of my teaching certificate. But, a little glitch kept me away that morning. Glitch? I believe not. It was one of my Guardian Angels blocking my path that morning.
I remember watching endless hours of TV coverage and feeling absolutely helpless. My sweet 8 & 9 yo students' hearts were crushed and their little innocent eyes were cruelly forced open. We wrote letters, sent packages and planted a tree in remembrance. So little could be done.
I remember the overwhelming disbelief that someone could possibly hate my beloved country so much they could do something like this. Little did I know it was just a prelude for what was to come years later...
Please take a few moments to remember the victims of this horrific act.
The following video is well done, but it's emotional and painful to watch. But at the same time it speaks volumes about our country's spirit. It shows the loving, caring efforts of the many people who helped and the raw audio of the first responders and victims.
Caution: Some mildly graphic pictures
Love Note to my Big Shooter: What an awful date for you. First losing your Momma to breast cancer at 47, then this horrific event a few years later. I think of you constantly on this date every year.

6 comments:

Flea said...

It was truly horrific. I was nine months pregnant with my second child and I remember staying away from most of the images. My first child was only eleven months old. Yes, it was a horrible precursor of 9/11.

Thank you for reminding me, reminding me not to forget.

FerLee said...

I just said to Eric, "Oh, Yeah, the anniversary was today." as I was logging onto your blog while watching the news. Then the picture. It brings memories back INSTANTLY!!! I wasn't living in this beloved state then; I was one up in Kansas, but we felt it HARD. Not as hard as my now fellow Okies, but it was very difficult to see the images. We also felt helpless.

Thank you, Stacey, for the reminder.

Beth from the Funny Farm said...

I sat and cried the entire day watching this on television. How sad. Sad. Sad. And so very senseless.

Anonymous said...

A cake made of arrogant politics, miss interpetations made by one of our own brave soliders, heavy handed government and all topped with incompetency at EVERY level! Then all the anger was level at an innocent city and some of the most innocent of individuals! It changed not only OKC and Oklahoma but the World...in many, many ways on many, many levels. In America moms don't let their kids away from their sides..in doors or out dors for more than 15 minutes at a time...awareness of all types have been brought to the fore front..and good for that...BUT..the age of innocents has passed for THe United States Of America...Mothers continue to teach LOVE but they also teach front and foremost, self preservation.
Skeeter, when you brought me and soon to be granny M to the OKC site little did I know at the time how I would be touched. Being in the solid waste industry I was brought into OKC as the demolition hauler needed equipment and planning assistance...in the end I was given a piece of the building's brick and told.... thanks..... Paul ..never forget..that piece of brick is on my desk and I see it hundreds of times a day when in the office...and think...and think...
Lovies
Dad

ShEiLa said...

Thank you for giving me a reason to pause and reflect on this sad moment in our country's history. I am so glad that you experienced a 'glitch' and that your path to disaster was blocked by your guardian angel. toodles, Sheila

Karla Porter Archer said...

I can't believe this was 13 years ago...

Thanks for the reminder.

xo ~K