72 years ago on 6th August 1945, 8:15 AM local time, an atomic bomb was dropped on the citizens of Hiroshima city for the first time in the war history.
My late dad's native place is Kitakyushu City of Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.
I was told that my dad's father was from Shimane Prefecture and it was his marriage to my dad's mother brought him to the City of Kokura, Kitakyushu. I had never chance to meet the grandparents because unfortunately, they died very early. Dad said his life in his childhood was very humble.
You might have read or heard about the historical record that indicated that U.S. was targeting seven cities for the atomic bombing, including Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Countdown to Hiroshima: The bomb that changed the world - BBC
Target Committee, Los Alamos, May 10-11, 1945 - Dannen.com
Initially, the U.S. was also targeting Kokura, a part of Kitakyushu City that had a prominent arsenal. However, it is said that the city narrowly escaped from the option due to the thick clouds covered over the sky and Boxcar bomber could not work on the precise targeting at the very moment of the bombing, so they moved to the second target which was Nagasaki.
My father was born in 1948, and he had a big brother of 6-7 years older, which means if Kokura were chosen, my grandparents and their first son would have been impacted, and thus my father might not have been born. So would have I not existed in this world.
Today, on the other hand, people in India celebrated Friendship Day. I want to consolidate my thought to that it is essential for us to imagine and think of all the possibilities and coincidences that might have brought you to the current place. We must care for each other, regardless of the party is your "friend" or not; because somewhat, every soul is interconnected.
