Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Time

There are two different times inscribed on the monolithic walls at the entrances to the memorial site. On the eastern entrance 9:01, signifying a time when there was innocence alive in this place. And on the western entrance 9:03, signifying that time when the innocence was gone.

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Harley

 On a recent trip through Oklahoma to drive, experience, and photograph Route 66 I decided to detour off the Mother Road and visit the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial. With the exception of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington DC I have never been so moved. It was a beautiful celebration of the lives lost, the sorrow, and the peace that the memorial has brought to the site.
  I sat to one side of the field of chairs- one to represent each life lost that morning. Their bases are glass, the backs and seat edges metal, and the seat bottom stone from the façade of the destroyed building. As I sat there on the grass the sun was setting and the air growing cooler. I felt warmth coming from the chair and moved closer. It was as though there was someone sitting there beside me. Thank you Harley Richard Cottingham for sharing the Peace I know you have eternally. I am sorry that you and so many- before, then, and since had to go through such horror to receive that Peace.