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Joyce Wycoff's avatar

Victor ... one of the before and after days that changed us. Suddenly the world was a different place ... less safe if even our President could be murdered in front of our eyes. There have been other before and after days since then, but that was my first and it will never be forgotten.

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Victor D. Sandiego's avatar

Yes, one of those before/after days where we remember what we were doing at the time. And yes, you're right in that there's been others, but this was the first for me, also. Thanks for checking it out, Joyce.

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Jim Cummings's avatar

Wow, Victor. You certainly captured the shock and emotion of a tragic day for the world.

I was a second-grader at a Catholic school and I remember the nuns whispering to each other in the hallway and turning back to their classrooms in tears but not telling the students what had happened. Our mothers picked us up early and tried to explain it to us. It was truly the end of innocence.

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Victor D. Sandiego's avatar

Yes, you're right. An end of innocence, in more ways than one. This is one of those things that people remember where they were, what they were doing at the time. We've had others since, but this was the first for me. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts, Jim.

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Mike Leavy's avatar

Victor, I like how you've distilled the larger story down to the impact on a boy and his mother. Emotionally, the story is much more accessible. For whatever reason that it popped up, I think that it popped up well-done (thus ends my toast analogies). Creative, as always.

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Victor D. Sandiego's avatar

Yes, I guess was thinking of the impact of the first few hours of that day. I'm glad you enjoyed it, Mike, and thanks for sharing your thoughts. Now I may go have a piece of toast with cream cheese because you're making me hungry.

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Trilety Wade's avatar

Wow this was powerful and telling. Also, had no clue you are exactly my mother's age - she's a wild mind like you. I started to copy and past all the sections that i found most compelling and then realized i was copying probably 50% of your post. So interesting, that public/private link we make between experiences shared by all and our experience shared by one.

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Victor D. Sandiego's avatar

Thanks Trilety and your Mom sounds like she passed on that good wild mind to you, too. Glad you could relate to this. I appreciate you letting us know your reaction. The public/private links are indeed interesting.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Some beautiful lines here, Victor. "...children unbridled their ignorance..." "A president who asked what one would do for their country found out." "We must remove the persuasive noose of hatred from around our neck before it hangs us all from the scaffold of our own decay." ( Who in their right mind would not agree ?) I remember the day well, and the massive grief, not only for the loss of a president, but for the loss of hope. Thank you.

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Victor D. Sandiego's avatar

Who in their right mind, indeed? But then we get into what's a right mind and you know where that goes. I don't understand it all, that's for sure, but try to make some sense of it. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts, Sharron. Really appreciate it!

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Zoe Carada's avatar

very moving, Victor! you captured an atmosphere and a deep significance so well.

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Victor D. Sandiego's avatar

Gotta admit I wasn't sure, but sometimes I just let things go out there. Many thanks for reading and sharing with us, Zoe.

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Mónica's avatar

Hola Victor, hay eventos trágicos que son el parte aguas de la vida de alguien o porque no de una sociedad o del mundo. Gracias por esta pieza.

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Victor D. Sandiego's avatar

Así es (y me has escuchado decir esta frase antes...:) Y tienes razón. Es un parte de aguas (lo cual es un frase que acabo de aprender hoy en la mañana) y muchos recuerden por donde estaban en el momento. Gracias para leerlo y para tus comentarios, Mónica!

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