Boston Marathon Bombing: United We Stand

Posted on April 19, 2013

Monday was about people running for the love of running. Instead, it turned into people running for their lives. And I can’t stop running either: running thoughts through my head about such unnecessary violence and what it means for our kids’ future; running out of reasons and excuses about why and how this continues to happen; running into puddles of emotion about the safety of our society. So then I ran with my thoughts to the Internet and found this: Wiki reported Deaths from terrorist attacks Jan through June 2013 and the results are sickening. January? 589, February? 558, March? 487, Apri?l 243 (thus far). April is not over yet.

UNBELIEVABLE! YES?

Although I struggle with the chilling reality of these numbers, I can’t help but notice that President Obama is the only world leader publicly addressing his nation with comforting words like “heroism, kindness, generosity, and love.” Less than 24 hours after the horrific Boston Marathon bombings, President Obama clearly reminded us of who we are and how we respond to evil. In his own words, “Selflessly, compassionately, and unafraid.”

We are fortunate to live in a land where there is value to human life; where even one death is considered one too many. Within 36 hours, we are recognizing and honoring Krystle Campbell, 29, of Arlington, Massachusetts, Martin Richard, 8, of Dorchester, Massachusetts and Lu Lingzi, a Chinese graduate student at BU.

It’s uplifting to see that help has poured in from all over the nation. Thousands and thousands of dollars are flying to Boston to help in any which way possible. Within minutes, we tap into our infinite human potential of love and compassion; we stand by each others’ side. This gives me hope that our society still has a chance. 

The beauty of it all is that our children get to watch how we respond to life crisis; as individuals, as a family, a community, and a nation. I wonder if the children that the world lost in the deaths mentioned above were remembered. I wonder if they were even identified. I wonder if the children that were left behind by fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters that were killed in these almost 2000 deaths this year got to hear the leaders of their country promise them help, comfort, and support. I wonder if they were reminded to respond selflessly, compassionately, and fearlessly.

We are lucky to be in a community and a country where, when faced with such extreme challenges, our love is held fast and does not break. 

We are fortunate that as lives are severed, many relationships are woven anew. 

We are blessed as the hearts of the victims and their families are broken, an entire nation stands beside them offering them theirs.

We cannot make sense of these horrific acts and unfortunately, we have no control over terrorist activity, but we do have control over how we respond to them. What we are seeing less than four days after should stand as an example for the rest of the world to follow. It should be an example that we, as a community as a nation, should be very proud of.