Growing up, you’re taught history at school and you often wonder what it would have been like to actually life through it. It almost doesn’t seem real - just pages in a book like a story. My two main subjects in history at school were the Tudors and WW1 and WW2. The wars although far more recent still didn’t feel real because I wasn’t there. There will be moments in my lifetime that future kids will learn in school and it’s amazing to think history is being written as we speak.

For me, the two biggest events in my lifetime that will go down in history have come back on the news in the last couple of weeks, making me think back to those moments.

The death of Diana – the scenes in Paris were shocking and tragic and Britain mourned a loved princess. I remember watching her funeral and the sadness that poured out from people, it was so moving. Last week we had the Royal Wedding – Diana’s son marrying Kate. Diana’s absence was felt by everyone I think but the couple made sure she was remembered by Kate having her engagement ring and one of her favourite hymns being sung. Westminster Abbey was the setting for her funeral and his wedding, both key points in our royal history and two days that will never be forgotten.

September 11 – watching this tragedy unfold on TV was numbing, it was like watching a film, unable to believe it was really happening. I’ve been to New York twice – once the Twin Towers were there, the second time they had gone. Walking around Ground Zero was so strange, a building site that hid the horror of that day. With the news that Bin Laden has been killed, so many thoughts are returning to that day. I can’t begin to imagine what it’s lie for people who lost loved ones that day and I just hope they have some feeling of closure now and can find some peace. Whether that peace extends out around the world remain to be seen.

What will our future children think and feel when they read about these moments? What will their world look like? Let’s hope our history helps them lead stronger and better lives and lessons are learned in the future. Because if one thing comes out from these events, it should be love.

To end with, I’m going to use the quote that Lisa shared in her post today:

“I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

What moments of our time stick out for you?

Vix

xx