It’s really the first major historical event that I remember.

Sitting on the floor at my grandparents’ house 25 years ago today, I remember watching the news coverage and seeing the remains of the Federal Building in Oklahoma City, not really comprehending the horror of what had happened.

Later in high school, that memory led me to write a 20-page research paper on the bombing, maybe as a way to understand the events I remembered as a child.

So when my husband and I took a spontaneous road trip to Oklahoma City in early February, I knew that the memorial was on my list. Honestly, I was overwhelmed with the emotions that I felt as we walked down the stairs to the reflecting pool, and found myself crying uncontrollably as I read the various placards that explained the events of the day, the lives that were lost, and the aftermath that followed.

An act of such senseless loss, immeasurable grief, an inexplicable hatred, and yet, as we explored the grounds, there was also a certain degree of hope, resiliency, and unity. From the survivor’s tree that overlooks the reflecting pool, to a message spray-painted on a neighboring wall by those who helped with cleanup efforts, to the handprints of children from all over the country who sent messages of hope and encouragement—despite the tragedy, the aftermath led to profound examples of the best parts of humanity.