Because of the horrible terrorist attack the other day in Barcelona.

To never happen again, and why I feel so personally affected by it!?

Two years ago, it was summer 2015 when my youngest son met a charming Spanish girl who visited Croatia through some student exchange program. They fall in love with each other deeply. Following an almost year and a half, it was a long-distance relationship and a big test for them both.

They tried to reduce the pain of being apart by exchanging short visits every few months or so, but it was hard. Every leave was heartbreaking, even for us, from aside, tough to watch.

Finally, at the end of the October last year, my son graduated and two weeks later, at the mid of November packed his suitcases, took his college degree and headed toward Barcelona where his Maria was eagerly waiting for him.

It was Thursday, August 17, 2017, evening time when we usually watch the evening news. But not that day. Densely occupied with renovations of a small apartment we want to rent and being pressed with the fast approaching deadline of the arrival date of our future tenant, we were still not at home.

The phone rang. I saw on the screen - it was my youngest son from Barcelona. I heard him saying:

• Mom, I am OK!
• OK?! - I was surprised not knowing why he is telling me that over a sudden.
• Mom, something terrible happened here in Barcelona! - He spat it out in one breath.
• What happened, dear? - I heard the excitation in his voice but tried to stay calm.

In that one-hundredths of a second, before he continued, I already had a million combinations inside my head how I'm going to be there for a few hours. I didn't know where I would find the money for that trip at once, but I knew if I have to I would even crawl on my knees all the way through.

• There have been some terrorist attack in the center of Barcelona, at Las Ramblas, - he said - and some people get killed while many are heavily injured.

• Where is Maria? - was my next question. I know they live in a vicinity and now I was worried about her.

• Luckily, she arrived home about 20 minutes before it happened.

• Where are her parents?

• They are at home too. Don't worry! We are all OK! That's why I called you. - He continued to explain.

• I knew you are going to watch the news around this hour, and I thought if you hear and see it there, before hearing me you would get wild and crazy of worries.

He was more than right! He knows me very well.
After that, he told me how the attack happened while he was on his way back home from work and where he is now. He also said that the area is completely closed, so he can't go home at the moment.

I asked him to promise me he wouldn't do anything stupid and will go home as soon as it would be possible. He promised. Later that evening he texted me a message saying how he just arrived home, and how all of them are safe and well.
My dear baby boy, how thoughtful he is!

The very next day, it was Friday, August 18th, 2017, later evening, on our way back home, we were passing by National and University Library in Zagreb, in front of which is placed Zagreb's Fountains park. I noticed the city council already arranged the largest fountain in the park to be in form and colors of Spanish flag as the sign of compassion and support for the horrifying happening in Barcelona the day before.

I couldn't, not to pull over, stop the car and make few photos and video clips. Here is the result. For my son, for Maria and her family, and for whole Barcelona, from...

Zagreb for Barcelona

To Never Happen Again!

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Posted on Monday, August 21, 2017

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Sources:
Image #1 - Own photo - © steemit.com/@ana-maria
Image #2 - Own derivative work with photo from Pixabay
Video - Own video with music purchased from audioblocks under the following license