As I sit and think about all that is happening in this world – it’s all history in the making. There are too many things to recall all of history – the World Wars I & II, including the bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki, the Great Depression, the 50’s & 60’s – all eras with very specific events taking place. If you were alive during that time, you did not know or truly realize just what was happening that would be considered History. I have been reflecting on some things over the past week or so.
When JFK was assassinated, I was just over 1 yr old but yet I still remember “something” about it. I remember crying on Sept 24, 1980 when I heard about the death of John Bonham from Led Zepplin – I remember hearing it on the radio. John Lennon Dec 8,1980 – the shock & disbelief of his killing. I remember all the excitement around a young Lady Diana Spencer who became Princess Diana July 29, 1981. I remember the start of the Falklands War in 1982 – the year I got married. I remember the Berlin Wall coming down – staying up and watching the coverage on the TV Nov 9, 1989. Our third child had just been born in October 1989. I remember the horror and uncontrollable tears when I learned that Princess Diana had been killed in a car accident Aug 31, 1997. All History that I was a part of in one way or another. Another horrific event took place on Sept 11, 2001 with the World Trade Centre & subsequent horrors that followed. I remember watching it over and over on the TV – shocked, stunned, not believing what was happening.
Recent events include the “Wedding of the Century” where Prince William – son of the late Princess Diana and Prince Charles -wed Kathryn (Kate) Elizabeth Middleton on Friday April 29th, 2011. It was a beautiful wedding and for a moment, a good part of the world stopped to watch and hope for the “Happy Ending” of their fairy tale. They are now known as the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge. Princess Diana was smiling down from Heaven – she was there, a part of the wedding. Yes, I watched the wedding – I happened to be working a night shift and we arranged our breaks to watch the Royal Wedding.
Then the news that Osama Bin Laden had been killed by special US Forces on Monday May 2, 2011. Another event for the History books. A day of rejoicing for some and a day or sorrow for others. There is no denying what this person orchestrated was a horrid event. But I can not rejoice in his death – as Martin Luther King Jr said”I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy.”
History – global and personal. During my lifetime & yours, there are personal events that make up your history – death of family & friends, births & weddings, happy holidays & events, the list goes on. We are all a part of history. I hope my contribution to history is not one that strikes fear or dread or unhappiness. I hope my contribution to history will have some how made a positive difference to someone somewhere. I hope your contribution is memorable and positive – forgive while you can, give a kind word while you can because you never know what tomorrow will bring.
“The clock is running. Make the most of today. Time waits for no man. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That’s why it is called the present.”
Peace & blessings