THIS week marks 25 years since the Provisional IRA called a ceasefire, a seminal moment in the history of our island.
The statement on August 31 said there would be a "complete cessation of military operations" from midnight and that the organisation was willing to enter into inclusive talks.
In the days before 24-hour rolling news most of us woke to this new reality.
In west Belfast that day there were celebrations and a cavalcade of cars and taxies, the mood was euphoric, full of hope and emotion.
A few months later and loyalist paramilitaries also called a cessation of violence.
I had small children at the time - just like the almost 677,000 who would later go on to vote yes in the Good Friday Agreement - and I wanted better for them.
That euphoria turned out to be premature.
In a state that has been unstable since it was formed almost 100 years ago, that had been at war since 1969, peace was never going to be achieved in a few days, months and, as we now know, years.
The legacy of murder, be it loyalist, republican or state, was never dealt with in those early days of talks.
Whether it was deemed too difficult or simply not important enough, it was kicked to the side with consequences that we are currently seeing played out in the most toxic way.
Victims being pitted against other victims; legacy being treated like a commodity and those most damaged as currency.
Social media has added to an already inhospitable environment, anonymous accounts post vile comments baiting one side or another.
Dehumanising communities, judging historical events in a modern setting with infuriating lack of knowledge, understanding or empathy.
Young people suffering generational trauma from a conflict that wasn't theirs that they never started, participated in nor are responsible for.
One that they were meant to be saved from.
A devolved government that was meant to hail a new mature society, one that self-governed for the good of all without the discrimination of the past.
A peace accord that promised stability and for republicans a peaceful path to unity when it was the will of the majority.
There was bravery shown by those who helped bring an end to the daily violence, it was a road previously untravelled but one worth exploring.
Maybe the expectations were too high, maybe it will take another generation, maybe two before we can forgive and forget.
Meanwhile we rely on a chaotic British parliament, under the worst Tory administration in history, to protect what's left of that agreement.
A party so focused on self-preservation that they are now going to prorogue parliament to get their way - their way being a no-deal Brexit.
A no-deal Brexit that will damage our island economically, politically and socially at a time when we are already heading to a dark place.
This place will not be comparable to the 'Troubles' that kind of conflict was specific to that period in our history.
This is a new era with different challenges and a generation with different values and goals.
A generation who do have the benefit of hindsight who have watched how peace was won and lost again.
They could learn from our mistakes, do things right this time, make a lasting peace one that cherishes all the people.
This island has suffered violence in cycles, we are heading towards one of those periods, however, it's not too late to stop it.
We were meant to leave this place better than we found it, be that in a stable Northern Ireland or a 'new Ireland' united for the good of all who live in it, be they unionist, nationalist or other.
One thing we should recognise after this week and the latest political skulduggery at Westminster, the good of this place cannot and should not be trusted to those who would pervert their own democracy in the pursuit of power.
