April 19, 1995
I can’t believe it’s been 18 years since that beautiful spring morning that forever changed Oklahoma, and the world for that matter. I don’t think I fully understood how horribly tragic it was to lose the 168 that day and how difficult it would be for the nearly 700 injured to heal. I was only 13 years old and didn’t learn of the bombing until later in the afternoon. I can’t remember if we were told at school or if I saw it all when I arrived home, it’s officially been too long ago to recall all the details.
With the recent events in Boston, MA and West, TX I find myself thinking back to how my memory of April 19th would be completely different if my 7th grade self had a cell phone, the Internet, and Facebook. I would have known about the explosion just minutes after it happened, I’m sure. Is that better or worse? I really don’t know.
In just 9 short days I will be standing in a crowd of people to run the Oklahoma City Memorial Half Marathon. Next to me will be my Father, my Brother, and thousands of others with the dream of crossing the finish line. This race was my first half marathon just three years ago. I trained with a wonderful group of ladies, we took a road trip down I-44, and after surviving a night in the haunted Skirivin Hotel we stood at the starting line. Most competed in the relay while Rhonda and I embarked on our first half marathon. We ran past 168 banners with the names of each victim and when it hurts a little or you’re out of breath, you never forget that you run because you can. You run to remember.
I personally didn’t know anyone was lost that day, but they were fellow Okies, fellow Americans, fellow human beings. Their lives were cut short by a heartless coward and it could have easily been me or someone I know.
As we were preparing to run a race in their memory one of the most prestigious marathons in the world was attacked. I’ve never been to Boston, I hope to visit later this year, but a part of me has dreamed of running that marathon. In that dream my family is waiting for me at the finish line to celebrate. How could someone think of taking that moment away from anyone?
I composed the above text last night with plans to finish the post today. This morning we turned on the TV to learn that one of the possible suspects was dead and the other was on the run. They are still searching for people in West, TX after the explosion. I was glued to the screen, what world do we live in? Is this even real?
I can’t believe it’s been 18 years since that beautiful spring morning that forever changed Oklahoma, and the world for that matter. I don’t think I fully understood how horribly tragic it was to lose the 168 that day and how difficult it would be for the nearly 700 injured to heal. I was only 13 years old and didn’t learn of the bombing until later in the afternoon. I can’t remember if we were told at school or if I saw it all when I arrived home, it’s officially been too long ago to recall all the details.
With the recent events in Boston, MA and West, TX I find myself thinking back to how my memory of April 19th would be completely different if my 7th grade self had a cell phone, the Internet, and Facebook. I would have known about the explosion just minutes after it happened, I’m sure. Is that better or worse? I really don’t know.
In just 9 short days I will be standing in a crowd of people to run the Oklahoma City Memorial Half Marathon. Next to me will be my Father, my Brother, and thousands of others with the dream of crossing the finish line. This race was my first half marathon just three years ago. I trained with a wonderful group of ladies, we took a road trip down I-44, and after surviving a night in the haunted Skirivin Hotel we stood at the starting line. Most competed in the relay while Rhonda and I embarked on our first half marathon. We ran past 168 banners with the names of each victim and when it hurts a little or you’re out of breath, you never forget that you run because you can. You run to remember.
I personally didn’t know anyone was lost that day, but they were fellow Okies, fellow Americans, fellow human beings. Their lives were cut short by a heartless coward and it could have easily been me or someone I know.
As we were preparing to run a race in their memory one of the most prestigious marathons in the world was attacked. I’ve never been to Boston, I hope to visit later this year, but a part of me has dreamed of running that marathon. In that dream my family is waiting for me at the finish line to celebrate. How could someone think of taking that moment away from anyone?
I composed the above text last night with plans to finish the post today. This morning we turned on the TV to learn that one of the possible suspects was dead and the other was on the run. They are still searching for people in West, TX after the explosion. I was glued to the screen, what world do we live in? Is this even real?
Since this horrible day 18 years ago, Oklahoma City has risen and the Oklahoma Standard showed it's self. We've made it through 9/11 ... NYC, DC, and PA showed that they too will not be defeated.
I have no doubt that the recently devastated cities will do just the same.
I was driving to work listening to more news on the radio and I just needed to escape for a few moments. I plugged in my iPhone and a song that I hadn’t listened to in a long time, probably years, came through the speakers. The Change by Garth Brooks. Maybe it was coincidence or maybe I was meant to hear the nearly 20 year old lyrics today.
I run because I can, I run to remember, and I run because this world will not change me.
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