"Geologists have a saying - rocks remember" - Neil Armstrong
Neil said this when he was awarded the "Ambassador of Exploration" award at the Cincinnati Museum Center.
He told the story of "Bock," a moon rock 3.7 billion years old, that Neil brought back with him to earth.
For Bock to reveal its history, to reveal what it has "seen," it had to be damaged. Transported from its natural "habitat" on the moon to a lab on earth. Cut into, dismembered, analyzed.
Neil felt like he owed Bock an apology.
9/11 is a day many people will remember.
Many do not.
They weren't born or were too young to remember.
Many of us will ask questions of those who witnessed and were impacted by the events of that day.
When we do, we must be mindful that, in our quest for learning, for understanding, for unearthing the truth, for preserving history, and even for compassion, we risk damaging the very people who carry within them these precious, horrific stories.
And yet, we must remember.
Humans are not rocks.
Humans can heal, and sharing difficult experiences, although traumatic at times, can be part of that healing process.
Humans are not rocks.
You and I are not Bock.
Even so, let us all tread lightly, with awareness, care, respect, love and empathy, as we honor and remember those impacted by this tragic day.
