The Path Before Us

In 2004, we went to Spain and visited the incredible cities of Madrid and Barcelona. It was an interesting time in my life.  Many things were changing for me.  I was in a new relationship.  Terrorism was very present in our lives.  And I began "settling down" with the eventual purchase of our home. 

A city filled with charm and mystery.  And at the time....sorrow.  During our visit, the Atocha Station in Madrid was bombed killing 191 people.  And while in Madrid, thousands of people came to the center of the capital protesting terrorism across the world.  I remember standing in the crowd overwhelmed by everything going on around me.  The hatred for Former President Bush, Anti American sentiments, Bin Laden, and al-Queda made me think about my own life back home. I couldn't control these actions.  They were out of my hands.  I didn't vote for that President.  I didn't bomb that station.  But I was American and it hurt. The world seemed to be spinning out of control. What if I had been at that metro station the day before?  Everything wonderful that has happened in my life would continue, but not for those 191 people. It was also incredibly moving to see 10's of thousands of people come together for world peace....and it gave me hope. The tragic events would change our world even more.  Not only would 9/11 in the US be remembered but so would 3/11 in Spain.  These memorials in the color of the Spanish flag were set up.  I snapped the shots as people cried and prayed after the tragedy around the thousands of candles.

I remember the overwhelming feeling of sadness. Today a memorial has been set up to remember the dead victims and 1800 people wounded. On June 10th 2004, a somber and minimalist Atocha station memorial was dedicated for the victims of the attack. The monument includes a virtual shrine. Visitors to the attacked stations can leave a hand silhouette and a message through special-purpose consoles. A second monument to this event, known as 11-M in Spain, is the Bosque del Recuerdo ("the Forest of Remembrance") in the Parque del Buen Retiro near Atocha. This monument is made up of 192 olive and cypress trees, one for each person who died on that day, with a tree also planted in remembrance of the police officer who died on April 3rd, 2004, along with seven of the perpetrators whose capture was underway.  The Forest Of Remembrance is surrounded by a stream, with water as the symbol of life. 

I will never understand the need for humans to justify hurting, killing, and stealing from one another.  And this particular trip changed me.  Sometimes I wish I could be that young man from happier times, but we live with these experiences that change us all forever. And the biggest lesson?  Things will happen as they happen.  Live life to the fullest.  There are no guarantees.