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From: my2girlies
Date: 04-19-2005, 12:29 PM (1 of 10)
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I lost a very dear friend in the Oklahoma City bombing and have been through an array of emotions over the past 10 years. Of course first starting with incredible grief and moving to anger. I have moved on to forgiveness thanks to many friends and our dear Lord. But today another friend called to talk to me and I think I may have made that final step. I wanted to share it with you as it pertains to so many difficulties in life and it is so simple. I was really stuck in the "what could have beens." My friend said it is time to move on to the "what is." Everyone involved that day suffered so much, yet now it is time to realize that we all grew and life went on and is wonderful!! Every time one of her kids does something wonderful - I have always thought if only she was here to see, etc. Instead, I should be rejoicing for what is - the accomplishments of her 5 children, the love her husband has for all of them even though only one is his, the strength of our community, the outpouring of love from around the world, and the strengthened family and friendship bonds that so many of us have experienced. So please take time today to remember what happened here, but also to be thankful for what is happening here and in your life, too. Thank you |
User: my2girlies
Member since: 03-25-2005 Total posts: 154 |
From: MaryW
Date: 04-19-2005, 12:39 PM (2 of 10)
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I can't believe it has been 10 yrs. I'm glad you have moved on from that tragedy. Life's lessons are very hard to accept sometimes but you have come to acknowledge yours and be happy for what you have.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 04-19-2005, 03:12 PM (3 of 10)
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I can't believe it's been 10 yrs either....we were living in MT at the time. Knowing some of 'us' (at our base) were going to Tinker AFB, in OK...It was hard watching everyones pain. I'm glad to see the healing. I've been watching the stories on t.v....I wish you greater peace in the future....
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: Julia's Nana
Date: 04-19-2005, 06:17 PM (4 of 10)
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Last summer we visited the memorial site in Oklahoma City. It was one of the most moving things I have ever seen. The hardest part was the small chairs of the children especially since that part was the hardest to bear ten years ago for most of us. Your friend was very lucky in deed to have someone have them so close to their heart all this time. I will be thinking of you today................ Norma |
User: Julia's Nana
Member since: 08-28-2001 Total posts: 361 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 04-20-2005, 12:22 AM (5 of 10)
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my2girlies I am so glad that you shared that with us tonight. I was 3 blocks away when that blast went off 10 years ago today and I cannot forget the feel of that instantaneous sucking of all the air from the office I was standing in and then the blast itself. By the time I was able to get down 14 floors and out onto the street, it looked like the middle of "hell" in downtown Oklahoma City. I have never been inside the memorial but to just drive by my heart is in my mouth and I struggle not to cry just like I'm doing now remembering that day all over again. And, yes, we've all had to move on and be thankful for those that did survive that day and for the growth that has happened in Oklahoma City since that day. I think God has truly blessed Oklahoma City because of the way the people here stepped forward to shoulder the burden of the aftermath of that horrible day. If Oklahoma City was even an inkling of the days that transpired in New York City on September 11th, I am so thankful that I was not there when that happened. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: my2girlies
Date: 04-20-2005, 11:01 AM (6 of 10)
| plrlegal - i know what you mean. I think the void of all air and the eerie "silence" before the blast hit was terrifying (we were just a few blocks away, too). In that split second you knew something really bad was about to happen. And when you hit the street - there are no words. I have not yet visited the memorial - just not quite "there" yet and do not know that I really feel a need to. It is truly amazing that so many did survive and the way people rallied was overwhelming. Glad you wer far enough away, too, to be safe. |
User: my2girlies
Member since: 03-25-2005 Total posts: 154 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 04-20-2005, 03:36 PM (7 of 10)
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I don't know that I will ever visit the Memorial. I think that feeling I had at the time of the blast will stay with me for the rest of my life. I don't think I've ever felt anything like it before or since and I hope I never do. i went through that then in October of that same year I was in Florida with an attorney I worked for and went throught Hurricane Opal; then, how long has it been? 5 years, the worst tornado ever recorded on earth here in Oklahoma; then 2 years ago we were on vacation, turn on a tv in a motel room and see that a tornado has hit the GM plant and Tinker AFB and Midwest City. We did find out later that night that that tornado missed our house by less than a few blocks. I think I've had enough excitement in the last 10 years here in Oklahoma to last me for the rest of my life.  Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: my2girlies
Date: 04-21-2005, 10:08 AM (8 of 10)
| Ditto!!! The bombing was the worst emotionally. But May 3 was the hardest physically. 10 days with out electricity and the obstacle course in and out of the neighborhood!! But the emotional end of that was easier because it was nature and not intentional. I am definately NOT an adrenaline junkie and have had my fill of it!! |
User: my2girlies
Member since: 03-25-2005 Total posts: 154 |
From: Sewhappie
Date: 04-21-2005, 12:22 PM (9 of 10)
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Pasty and My2girlies, My question is this; After having gone thru the Oklahoma City Bombing as you mentioned. Did you have problems with flashbacks when 9/11 hit? I just pray that we, as a Nation, never have to go thru anything like those days again. Or anyone for that matter. I remember hearing the new stories anf tower tapes later about the Pa plane and then seeing it's flight path to D.C. how lucky we were here. It's path was right over our community. But those souls on that plane will always be Hero's to all of us, but the price their families have had to pay, just isn't right. |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 04-21-2005, 01:03 PM (10 of 10)
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Sewhappie I didn't have flashbacks about the Oklahoma City bobming but the horror of all those people trapped in those burning highrises was hard for me to handle. I tried to stay as busy as possible for quite a while after 9/11 and I had to make myself stop watching it on TV. After the Oklahoma City bombing, my DH took me out of the city for a week 2 days after it happened because I couldn't function. All I could do was cry every time I saw it on TV or heard it on the radio. And the first time I had to go back to my office downtown, I had to force myself to do so. The only time I've been to that site is when we drive by it going somewhere else downtown Oklahoma City. I no longer work in that part of the City either. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
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