I live just outside of Oklahoma City and although I am not a native of my state it long ago became a place I love to call "home". We moved here when my daughter was only 6 months old and her big brother just a little over three. Seemed like a wonderful place to raise a family and indeed that proved to be true.
I first came to Oklahoma to attend college in 1976. It is here I met my hubbs of over 30 years. It is in this state I've lovingly watched my children grow up, attend school, go to college, fall in love and then marry. It is the birth-state of my only grandchild and the only state in which I've ever owned property. My father and mother live here and so does my youngest sister and her family... And, unless God directs us elsewhere, it will be in Oklahoma that I will grow old and live out the remainder of my life.
DESTROYED MURRAH BUILDINGI was running late getting my second grader to school the morning the blast went off. I only heard a faint, muffled sound in the distance as I live 15 miles from downtown OKCity. Thinking nothing of it, I said my good-byes to my baby girl and drove home. Seconds after walking in the door my phone began to ring with my hubbs on the other end. He was in a panic...he was working downtown in a building not far from the bomb site and wanted to relay to me only two things...SOMETHING caused a HUGE explosion in a building a few blocks from him and that he was safe. He watched as windows were blown out all around him and the sky grew dusty and dark... I flipped on my TV and to my horror I watched as a part of our City looked like a war zone.
The events of that day are seared in my memory forever. The media coverage was non-stop. The rescue of the few survivors had us riveted to our television sets. The day brought complete devastation and changed my beloved State in more ways than one...
Today marks the 14th anniversary of the Bombing. More than 300 people gathered this morning at the Oklahoma City Memorial where the Murrah Building once stood. It is ground that many consider to be sacred...it is indeed a sad place, but it's a very beautiful place as well! The blast hurt and scared many of our people, but it failed at destroying our collective faith...
If you ever get a chance to visit Oklahoma City I encourage you to take time to view the Memorial Site. It includes chairs symbolizing the victims. The chairs are on a grassy field overlooking a reflecting pool flanked by bronze gates, one marked 9:01 and the other marked 9:03 a.m., framing the exact 9:02 a.m. time of the explosion.
EMPTY CHAIRS REPRESENT THE LOST
MEMORIAL SITE...OUR FLAG
I visit the site and I visit often. It is a great reminder of what can happen when people allow hate to overtake their hearts... It's an ever greater example of what happens when people choose to love...
Simply put, it's the LOVE that heals.
Blessings to you as you remember that despite evidence of evil, good always wins...Rebecca
17 comments:
~Oh Rebecca~~I feel so bad for your state. That was a devastating thing to happen. Thank you for the reminder and the healing that is trying to take place in OK. God is ALWAYS in charge and will prevail. Love to you on this beautiful sabbath day!...Mary H.
I was just thinking of you and then saw you posted. I remember this day so much because my Grandmother lived in Oklahoma at the time of the bombing and it was absolutely devastating to watch. She wasn't close by, but it was just so devastating especially because of the children in the daycare there. Thank you for the beautiful memorial pictures I haven't seen those.
and on a lighter note....I popped into your shop yesterday, and you have some beautiful pieces. I am in awe of your talent. It is simply the most beautiful I have seen online. You are amazing!!! Have a blessed Sunday evening my friend.
♥ Teresa
My heart feels so heavy to consider people who do such things as this. I cannot comprehend this at all.
You are so right, Rebecca. Love heals and good always wins in the end.
Thank you for being you and for allowing God to work through you. When I read your words, I know that He is working through you. I feel Him so strongly. What a blessing it is to know you and call you my friend.
Much Love,
Rhonda
I remember this as much as 9~11. I recall not breathing for a bit & trying to make sense of how any human could do this. It didn't matter it was a resident of the USA. It was the act of one human being that brought about this devastation.
I recall the day I first saw the seats. Some think upon them as sad. I tend to look upon them as souls taking a rest to watch of us.
Sacred ground it is and shall be forever. Seats filled with souls that i'm happy to call angels. Every single person is now a soul to watch over us all.
Thank you for taking the time to remember them.
Thank you for the lovely compliments Rebecca. I love my house ...
Since my hubby's family is from OK we sure were affected by this horrible event. He had relatives that had 'just left' the area that was devastated. We visited this tragic devastating scene & paid witness for the souls that perished there. All we could do was walk around the chain fence barricade, very silently as it is so mind boggling & solemn a place now, with tears running down our faces, our voices were inaudible. We read the notes & touched the other items that were left there hanging as memorials on the fence & then I came upon a Teddy Bear that was tucked into the hole of the fencing with a note that said 'mean people suck' & that said it all. It was a very quiet day for all of us ... unforgettable, implanted forever.
It is truly a place of rest for the beautiful souls. May God bless & keep the families that were so horribly touched that day ...
TTFN ~ Marydon
PS Congrats! Website is again, BREATHTAKING! Good luck & success.
Oh Rebecca, I remember that day. Although I live far from Oklahoma it was a sad for us here as well. How can anyone do anything so horrible? So many suffered at the hands of these evil ones. I'm so sorry. I don't know what else to say, but I'm sending you huge comforting hugs.
God bless you,
Spencer
Oh Gosh sweet ~r~,
I remember this like it was yesterday, I remember you and Steve sharing this with me,one time when you were out this year.. My heart aches with yours.. So many innocent lives gone, and loved ones hurting.. It's hard to believe good can come from this, but, yes, I believe, so therefore have to trust HIS every word,and have to rest in HIS peace and love.. Yes, God is good.. Soo heartfelt..Love to you my sweet, caring, loving friend.. hugs to you ~tea~xo
Rebecca,
I remember that day as well and I remember how my heart ached for all of those innocent people. I remember crying and when I heard about the daycare...I cried even harder. It is terrible that someone could have that much hate inside of them and do these terrible things!
Hugs to you,
Lee Laurie
I WILL NEVER FORGET WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I REMEMBER IT VIVIDLY, I WAS A SOPHMORE IN HIGH SCHOOL AND MY TEACHER POSTED NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS ALL OVER THE CLASSROOM, ONE WAS IN FRONT OF MY DESK, OF A BABY GIRL WEARING PINK, HER LITTLE PINK SOCKS AND A FIREFIGHTER HOLDING HER, IT WILL FOREVER BE ENGRAVED IN MY MEMORY. WE HAD TO DO A REPORT ON IT, ABOUT TOLERENCE, ANGER AND HOW WHEN WE NOTICE SOMETHING ODD, TO SPEAK UP AND NOT LET THINGS GO..OUR SIXTH SENSE... FOREVER PART OF MY PRAYERS THAT DAY WILL BE. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS REBECCA- HEATHER
All I can say is WOW! I am and saddened and overwhelmed in remembrance of what took place in your beloved city on that dreadful day. I offer up my prayers to the families who lost loved ones that day, a day that will never be forgotton! Thanks for reminding me how blessed I am.
Respectfully,
Marie
Dear Rebecca,
Thank you for sharing this in your very special way. It should be a reminder to everyone that hate accomplishes nothing good in our world.
I really enjoy reading your posts. You are so very gifted!
XO
Brook
Sweet Rebecca, that was truly a sad day for your beautiful state and our entire country. Many things happen in this life that we cannot understand...that awful day was one of them.
Thanks for sharing your sensitive heart and may God comfort all those that continue in pain.
Blessings, Barb
Hello Rebecca, I am so glad the you did this post. A big part of loving people is never forgetting them. Though I didn't know any in the building, I have met others who did. The event was an ugly, ugly attack on beautiful people living there lives. Seeing this beautiful site helps to understand the scope of the lives taken that day. When you can actually see the chairs that represent the person, it makes it real. Thank you for sharing this lovely monument. I would love to see it in person some day. Thank you for your kind messages to me. I love hearing from you. Hugs from Idaho, June
Everytime I see these photos, I wonder how ANYONE survived. Great memoir, beck.
I was at home in Tuttle, Oklahoma when the bombing took place. My mom called me from downtown and let me know she was okay and to start watching the news. Our prayers are still with all the victims families and friends! This day and days like this forever change a person's life! Keep them in your prayers and Pray for your America! Margie xoxo
Rebecca, I well remember the day of the bombing. I was working in a library at an elementary school. For some reason, we had the television on. I watched in horror and disbelief, as so many hearts were broken, lives forever changed.
We need to continue to pray for our country. Each day now seems to bring news of some new evil affliction to innocent victims. But, God is with us - Emmanuel. And He will not leave us comfortless.
Thank you for this precious reminder today. May God bless you, and may He continue to bring healing and peace to those who suffered from your city's tragedy.
In Christ's Love,
Andrea
Rebecca,
I hope the healing continues for everyone in Oklahoma. My husband has been stationed at Tinker AFB twice and we love the people there. We were at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany.I always had CNN International on when I saw and heard the report. I called my husband who was the Training Sq. commander and told him...his response "Are you sure?" Several AWAC pilots and crew lost friends and family that day...it was so hard for them.
I often wonder if evil fills the person that can do something like this or are they so empty that life is no longer precious?
Regards,
Gwen
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