Know Then Go: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

I arrived in Hiroshima at around 5 this evening, which doesn't really leave for much time to go visit places. Being the ever so smart person I am (hahahahahaha, gassspppp, hahahahaha). I booked close by and was able to go as the sun was beginning to set and hung around till it had gone down. Here in Hiroshima the blossoms are opened farther than I've seen so far. It is already extremely pretty. I will go there again tomorrow as the museum closes earlier than I got to it. Plus I want to go there again.

It's a very sad thing. Not the park it's self. The park is extremely beautiful and inviting in it's design. It has a very open feel to it. But to know why it is there will get to you. To be standing in a spot that not long ago was home to a tragedy. Maybe I'm getting old or something since I seem very good at getting choked up. I hope nobody at the park will think odd of me if I am to shed a tear.

It's one thing for those who go to war to pay the price. But another for those that did not make that choice to pay it. Particularly the children. I'm not sure the process that any person can go through to come to the conclusion that you should decimate anyone's home. Too much of what men strive for now is that which will only progress themselves. Seeking power and greed over real happiness. Neither money or power will ever bring you a life with any meaning. And neither is worth the cost of a life.

You'll see a bell with an attached origami crane that is dedicated to the children in particular. A monument to the children that had no part in what was taking place. It's not there only for those who were taken by the blast itself. The blast was't the only tragedy. The years and years of dealing with the radiation exposure caused just as much, if not more, as those first few seconds.

So far as I've journeyed it's largely been young children with their parents that I come across. For those that have seen me around kids, they'll know I enjoy being around children. Though I wish I had more confidence to interact with them. You never get near a baby bear if mama bear might not like it. It was still good to see all the children out having fun and playing. There are some really cute little ones here.

I would say that is what got to me most. The innocence of the children laughing and playing there. Do they know what it is that really happened here? Can ones so young truly comprehend what life is? I don't think that they can. For those that were part of what happened that day and the years to come. Did they really get the chance to find out? Were there two small friends holding flowers and playing by a fountain so many years ago as well?