7/7 - One year on

[caliente_uk]

This time last year I was in Central London with my husband when news of the first bomb broke. I'm not going to go over everything that happened that day, but I will point you towards a post I made the day after the attack.

My thoughts the day after 7/7

My thoughts turn to everyone who was directly affected by the events of 7/7. I remember them all today. I remember the people who were so cruelly taken from their families that day. I remember those who were physically and emotionally maimed, who will have to live with what happened on that day for the rest of their lives. My thoughts are with you all.

But I also remember how everyone came together and refused to be beaten by the events of last July. How we refused to allow ourselves to be ruled by hatred and fear. Here is what I posted one week on:

In the words of George Psaradakis, the driver of the No. 30 bus in Tavistock Square:

"You will not defeat us. You will not break us."


We will remember them. Husband, wife, daughter, son, mother, father, grandchild, nephew, niece, grandparent, cousin, uncle, aunt, brother, sister, boyfriend, girlfriend, friend. We will remember them.

There is so much hatred in the world, but we shouldn't allow ourselves to forget (especially at times like these) that it's only a minority of people who feel this way. The majority of people - whatever their race or religion - are decent people, who just want to live their lives. I am one of those people. I reach out a hand of friendship to decent people everywhere. May we all stand strong together.

I was proud to be a part of the LiveJournal community last year. We have our ups and downs, and our share of fandom kerfuffles. We're only human, after all. But when it really matters, we're there for each other. I was incredibly moved by the love and support that was shown to me last year. People came together to try to find the LJ users who were known to be in London at the time of the bombs. I will never forget how concerned everyone was about me and my husband. It was such a nice feeling to come back to so much love and friendship after the horror of the day before. It made me realise more than ever just how important this community is to me. I still feel that way one year on.

We will never forget the events of last year. But we will not let what happened rule the way we live our lives. Three months after the events of 7/7 I went back to London with my family, to attend James Marsters' Words and Music event. Back to the city that I love. :)

Comments

[kazzy-cee.livejournal.com]

I was up in London yesterday and I did wonder if anyone was worried after some of the scare stories in the news that have been going around. But London was its usual crowded, busy place with the only reminder being very frequent reminders of not leaving unattended bags around (they will be destroyed!) at the stations I went through.

You can't break the British spirit very easily can you.

[kathyh]

We will never forget the events of last year. But we will not let what happened rule the way we live our lives.

Beautifully put. ::hugs::

[alwaysjbj.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Beautifully said!

[petzipellepingo.livejournal.com]

But I also remember how everyone came together and refused to be beaten by the events of last July. How we refused to allow ourselves to be ruled by hatred and fear
There will always be an England. ::hugs:: to every last one of you.

[hesadevil.livejournal.com]

The Daughter has lived alone in London since the height of the IRA campaign and not a day goes by when I don't think about her safety. Thankfully her journey to work is much earlier in the day than the attacks of 7/7, but my blood ran cold when the news broke, as she works flexi-time.

I reach out a hand of friendship to decent people everywhere. May we all stand strong together.
Thank you for this, Caroline.

[amybnnyc.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

[bluekaty.livejournal.com]

We will never forget the events of last year. But we will not let what happened rule the way we live our lives.
I lived in London for about ten years and to me this is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Nothing will ever kill its spirit. And most definetely I will keep coming back.

[makd.livejournal.com]

{{Cal}} I recall the fear on this side of the pond; my husband has family that live in London, not too far from the bombsite, and take the same tube every day (twice/day, of course). Fortunately, they had taken earlier trains..... Dreadful day, really. My heart and prayers to those who were injured, and their families.

[showmewrtr.livejournal.com]

What a beautiful, moving post. *Hugs* My thoughts are with you all as well today. Take care!

[fredsmith518.livejournal.com]

Well said.

The love and concern on the net last year was very heartening.

I didn't 'know' you then, but I can still remember your name coming up as flisters worried they hadn't heard from you yet.

[jerusha]

*hugs* I was thinking about that yesterday. The guy doing the news offered a reminder of the date. I think it's good to remember, particularly when you can remember the strength of a nation coming together.

[spikesdeb.livejournal.com]

*hugs you* I remember the LJ community outpourings of concern too, Cal. I remember the panic when we couldn't find you and knew you were there! But thankfully, we found you. So sad to think on all of those people who were not so lucky and who were injured. But we will not let terrorism win, I agree. *many more hugs*

[lmbossy.livejournal.com]

But when it really matters, we're there for each other.
*hugs*