Remember.

My parents can easily recall where they were when news rang out of John F. Kennedy or Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassinations. The world stopped. It weeped and mourned great loss. Accusations were hurled while man hunts and political turmoil ensued. Not much different than 25 years ago, or even today.

My world stood still on this day 25 years ago at the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. It's the story I'll continue to recall with friends, loved ones and someday my children.  

School had barely begun. I was sitting in my 5th grade class when the news came in. Teachers gathered in the halls whispering. We were all lead to a single classroom to where teachers wheeled an old-school television into the room on a cart so we could watch the news unfold. 

School ended early that day. My middle sister was a senior. My oldest sister lived away from home and was attending class as OU Health Sciences Center, right near downtown, at the time. 

We had to stay put. Shelter in place while essential workers, like my mom, who worked at Baptist, were being called into work. We didn’t know the status of those who worked in or near the building. 

As an 11 year old, I was confused and scared. 

In the days following the bombing, my parents were glued to the news and ongoing search and rescue coverage. I also heard rumblings of conspiracy theories and anti-government talks. I didn’t understand it all back then. 

When Timothy McVeigh was caught, I became extremely anxious. They were giving up the search. He was the guy. But what if he wasn’t, I recall asking my mom. What if the real terrorist was still out there? When would it be safe to get back to normal? How could we trust someone again?

I lived in fear. Did my family see it? Maybe. But do I remember it? Absolutely. 

168 lives were lost then. Normal was different. New. 

Life as Oklahomans knew it never went back to the days prior to April 19. 1995. 

How many lives are lost now?

Sure, COVID-19 isn’t to terrorism. But once again, we’re hunkering down and sheltering in place while we look to government and elected officials to keep us safe during times of uncertainty. 

We’re glued to the television watching ongoing coverage as we count on reporters to give us accurate information rather than sensationalized journalism to keep ad sales inflated. 

Once again, Oklahomans are stepping up. We’re coming together as a community to help those in most need, delivering food or masks. Checking in on our neighbors. 

The Oklahoma Standard.

It’s evident that today - 25 years later - that those of us who were only kids saw it in action and are rising to the occasion to do the same. 

COVID-19 isn’t anything like the bombing. And yet, it is. 

Children are confused. They don’t understand. They hear the hushed voices of their parents and see the news even when you think they aren’t watching. 

Check on your children. Ask them how they’re coping. 

What they’re really watching, what they really want to know, is how to respond. And they’re learning that from you. 

You’re showing them patience. Trust. Calm in the midst of chaos. You’re teaching them respect for authority, and also the importance of speaking up and adding value to the conversation. You’re showing them creativity and connection. Kindness and community. You’re showing them love and kindness and community. 

You’re teaching your friends, neighbors and the next generation the Oklahoma Standard. 

Oklahoma, you make me proud.