There, I stood.

There. 

Where the history of the world took a turn.

There. 

Where hundreds of thousands of souls were ripped from their bodies.  In an instant.

There. 

Where those left living suffered intensely.  Physically.  Emotionally.

There. 

Where a whole city turned to ash and broken lives.  In the blink of an eye.

There.

Where the children lost their parents.

There.

Where the parents lost their children.

There.

Where birds stopped singing.

There,

I stood.

As I stood, gazing at the ruins of the building that has become the icon of the atomic bomb, I felt surrounded…

…by the spirits of those who lost their lives. 

…by the prayers that continuously rise.

…by the peace that the city of Hiroshima represents.

…by the hope for a future of peace.

Visiting Hiroshima Peace Park has been one of the most moving experiences of my life.  Processing the emotions I felt coursing through my veins is taking some time. 

I was struck by how peaceful this place is.  This place that experienced one of the most violent destructions in the history of the world.

The significance of what happened in Hiroshima must be remembered and learned from.  For all generations to come.

During our visit to Hiroshima, we spent around six or seven hours exploring the park and the museum.  There also happened to be the famous flower festival happening during our visit.   I will elaborate on what I saw and experienced throughout several posts, so as to do the experience justice.

More to come.