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Main Page Site Index Getting Pregnant Pregnancy Parenting Pregnancy and Parenting Journals Fertility Nutrition Pregnant Moms Morning Sickness Women's Health Child Health	A Walk On Sacred Ground by Jimmy Patterson OKLAHOMA CITY -- April 19, 1995. A day most people in this country will never forget. Word that a bomb had exploded at the federal building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people -- 19 of whom were children -- spread quickly. People everywhere set aside what they were doing to watch the tragedy unfold. Nothing more need be said, really. Everyone who has read just this far has already resurrected his or her own memories of the day. It's one of those "I'll always remember where I was" events. Everyone has their own recollection. Their own emotion. Their own way of processing the feelings they had -- and hopefully still have -- over what was the most deadly act of domestic terrorism ever in America. I remember the day well. There were many tears shed in our family. We looked on as Tom Brokaw, himself emotional, recounted the horror of the day. The devastation. The senseless loss of life. And, of course, the countless images that quickly became forever ingrained in our minds, such as the photo of a fireman carrying the lifeless body of young Bailey Almon. Two weeks ago, all those feelings awoke in me again, though I can honestly say I have often thought of all the people who died on that terrifying day. On Memorial Day weekend, my family and I were fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial, a stirring work of architecture that is both impressive and sparing. It is a sacred tribute to those who died that day, and to those who survived. It is a memorial so monumentally emotional, so powerful, that to try and write anything about it would do it injustice. I give it the highest recommendation by saying only that, to get there, we drove eight hours with three kids in the car, it was worth it and we would do it again tomorrow. There are two thoughts that remain after our visit: First, that the 168 people who died in that mass murder should never be forgotten. Second, though the Oklahoma City National Memorial honors all who were killed, what struck me is the presence, if only in spirit, of the children. So many innocents. All murdered in the name of bitterness toward the government. What a tragic waste. Those 19 kids would be 6 today. Some would be 7, others 8, 9 or 10. They would be playing sports and piano, playing on swingsets and in their front yard. They would be riding their bikes, digging in the dirt, chalking on the sidewalk and making noises to irritate their brothers and sisters. They would be alive, if not for one horrific moment. Across the street from the Memorial is a tribute built by St. Joseph's Catholic Church, itself heavily damaged in the blast. Framed by a semi-circular marble wall that contains 168 candles is the most moving site of the entire downtown area: a statue of Christ, head in hands, weeping. At the foot of the statue is the simple passage: "... and Jesus Wept." A single figure of Jesus. Three words. A world of meaning. What was noticeable to me upon first entering the Memorial was the quiet. So hushed a place, yet so many people milling about. There were 300, maybe 400 people, but there could have been 3 or 4 as loud as the quiet was. I don't frequent memorials, art exhibits or architectural tributes, so I don't know if quiet is common. I suspect that it is. But the hush here was quite simply a display of reverence. It was a show of respect for the people who died on what Oklahomans call sacred ground. It was a symbol of the return of dignity to the 168 people who were violently stripped of it five years ago. A phrase imbedded in the Memorial's bronze Gates of Time says in part, "May all who leave here know the impact of violence." Estimates have placed yearly visitor totals at 500,000. If that guess holds true, and if people adhere to what they read upon entering, maybe the world will be a better place in a few years. Everywhere, there are memories of the dead, yet feelings of hope for a non-violent future. The field of empty chairs are individual monuments. Large chairs for the adults; small chairs for the children. All memorialize those who were taken. Look to the west and there's the makeshift chain link memorial, an element of the Memorial originally constructed when the area was first sealed off five years ago. Today, people still adorn the fence with stuffed animals, teddy bears, flowers, pictures and other items. On a hill, on what was the south side of the building, sits a fenced-off area that was once a playground. A small patch of grass where the children who stayed at the federal building day care center spent their time laughing, swinging, sliding and playing every day, no doubt without a care in the world. Walk north, above the reflecting pool, adjacent to a field of green grass and a grove of young loblolly pines and you see another area dedicated to the children. It is a part of the Memorial made memorable by the simple honesty and innocent beauty of children's paintings, done in honor of their kindred spirits. There are 600 of these ceramic tiles that have been placed together to form a 4-foot wall of remembrance. The simplicity, the youthful tone of the artwork, the very dis-unity of these designs makes for a patchwork masterpiece. The wall's message will stay with anyone who sees it. Certainly the professionals spent many hours and millions of dollars designing a wonderful, stirring Memorial. But the contrast of the honest, raw emotions conveyed by the children's hard work is as poignant and touching as anything else here. Nestled in the middle of those 600 individual pieces of art is a single, simple sentiment painted on one particular tile. Words that come from one child, but should be read and remembered by all: "We Will Never Forget." To view pictures of the Oklahoma City National Memorial, please visit http://www.uwmidland.org/Story%20File/oklahoma_city_national_memorial.htm. A Little About Jimmy Patterson My name is Jimmy Patterson. I write a weekly parenting humor column for the Midland (Texas) Reporter-Telegram, and have been for five years. My work has also been published in family newsmagazines from San Angelo, Texas, to Atlanta. I have recieved reprint requests from parenting club newsletter editors from Iowa to Chicago, and from San Francisco to Australia and Nova Scotia. My columns feature stories from a dad's point of view, about my three kids, who range in age from 5 to 13. While it is true that my columns are about my family, I believe their popularity and humor stems more from the fact that what I actually do is write about everyone's family. Situations in which a lot of families find themselves. Please feel free to send Jimmy your comments about his work! "Life With Dad" is sponsored by www.Dineoutright.com. Column archives can be perused (but only if enjoyed) at www.Dineoutright.com/lifearch.html.