Two wildflowers (Provided photo — Diane Chase)

History is a quirky bit of business. History is a story about the past and not the actual events. The distinction is that the past itself can’t be retrieved — just the recordings, documents and research of each event. There is no way to preserve all versions of history. Each person’s account, interpretation and interaction will vary, so it becomes a compilation of research into significance and truth.

I thought about history as we wind down from honoring Patriot’s Day (9/11). Children born the year the planes hit the Twin Towers and Pentagon are now college seniors, or are in the workplace, could be parents, or own a business. Every child sitting in a classroom chair today was not alive during that tragic event which killed almost 3,000 people. They have no memory of the events of 9/11 except the history being said to them.

I have my own “where were you when the planes hit” version. So do most people over the age of 30. The 9/11 consequences reformulated global warfare and international security. It intrigues me to think that such an event that pulled our country together is now just a page in a book being taught to children in chairs who weren’t born when it happened.

Many other significant historical occurrences have occurred over the past 20 years. I believe COVID is the only one that simultaneously affected the entire world. I know I’m oversimplifying because we live in a global community where climate disasters and economies are constantly affected by various events. I’m curious what history will show for the next group of children in school who weren’t born when COVID happened.

It is interesting to see our part in history. Humans can make history, go down in history, or be a part of history. We can share our stories and remember the past. We will eventually forget most of our daily living while the rest, of course, is history.