Survivor Tree - July 20

Many of us have seen 'Elizabethtown' and thought about the road trip he takes at the end of the movie. He makes a stop in Oklahoma City to see the survivor tree and then leaves. Now I know that this is just a movie and they can't show everything he might have done there, but there really is so much more. I had heard of the tree before the movie and I admit that the movie reminded me that I would like to see the tree if ever given the chance. The girls and decided to make it a point to stop in OK City just to see the city and the memorial park in which it rests. The park is set where a street once ran alongside a federal building that was destroyed by a bomb in 1995. The city was forever changed on that day. People lost their lives, children and families, and the business centre would never be the same again. A man angry with the government decided to take matters into his own hands. He filled a truck with explosives, parked in front of the federal building, and after setting the fuse calmly drove off. Inside the building were government offices, recruitment offices, and a daycare; just beginning to go about their day when the bomb went off. In total the bomb would cause the deaths of 168 people (adults and children), destroy and fatally damage dozen of other building, and rock the country with shock and horror.

The park is designed to remember the people that died that day and provide a place to try and find some peace. There are town entrances to the park; large black gates with two times inscribed. 9:01 at one end for the time before the bomb went off, and 9:03 at the other end for the minute after the explosion when life was forever changed. In between is a calm, reflective pool that mirrors the park around it. To the side where the building once stood is a field of chairs, some large and others very small. The chairs represent the people that died as a result of the blast. Across the pool is what is now called the "Survivor Tree". It is a large, 80 year old elm tree that had already survived a great deal before the bombing. Transplant to the area from a private home, construction around it, and finally a parking lot. On the day of the bombing it survived the initial blast, flying glass and debris, and fire from the cars burning around it. It is seen as a symbol of hope, renewal, and resilience; to have survived so much and continued to grow. The park has such a peaceful feeling, with the trees surrounding the park, and the water flowing from the pool.

The museum to the side of the park is a wonderful source of information and a chance to learn the story of what happened that day. The city has worked hard to preserve personal items from that day, and the story of those that have gone. They take you through the day of the bombing, the everyday routines and plans of those involved, and the aftermath. They show the response of the city, the country, and the world. You cannot help but be touched by the exhibits and the information that is shared in the museum. We were touched by what we saw and heard, changed for the better I hope. One of the rangers in the park encourages you to place your hand in the reflective pool and then press you hand against one of the gates. He said to hold your hand there for a few seconds and think about what you have seen. Leaving your handprint will leave a piece of you behind as your thoughts and hopes will rest there in the park, with the memories helping to find peace.