It was a perfect day for the Boston Marathon, and I
think about the runners who rose early, stretched, warmed up, and prepped for
the race. Sadly, at the same time, someone with sinister plans was prepping,
too, and a day that started perfectly, ended tragically. My thoughts and
prayers are with all the people involved in the marathon, the victims, the
runners, and the people of Boston.
think about the runners who rose early, stretched, warmed up, and prepped for
the race. Sadly, at the same time, someone with sinister plans was prepping,
too, and a day that started perfectly, ended tragically. My thoughts and
prayers are with all the people involved in the marathon, the victims, the
runners, and the people of Boston.
A popular Facebook post has featured the wise words
of Fred Rogers who said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the
news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find
people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I
remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there
are still so many helpers—so many caring people in this world.”
of Fred Rogers who said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the
news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find
people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I
remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there
are still so many helpers—so many caring people in this world.”
Mr. Rogers’s quote was confirmed as I watched the
footage of the blast and noticed that immediately many people ran toward the explosion, not away from it. They
had no idea what was happening; a second blast confirmed for many that this was
a bomb, and yet they ran in to help. Despite
the danger of possible additional bombs, the helpers risked their safety to aid
the wounded. That’s courage.
footage of the blast and noticed that immediately many people ran toward the explosion, not away from it. They
had no idea what was happening; a second blast confirmed for many that this was
a bomb, and yet they ran in to help. Despite
the danger of possible additional bombs, the helpers risked their safety to aid
the wounded. That’s courage.
Mile 26 marked a memorial to honor the 26 victims of
the Sandy Hook Elementary shootings. The group of runners from Sandy Hook wore
T-shirts bearing their names—one victim for each of the 26 miles. I cannot
imagine the sorrow this added to their still-fresh grief. All of the Sandy Hook
runners were safe.
the Sandy Hook Elementary shootings. The group of runners from Sandy Hook wore
T-shirts bearing their names—one victim for each of the 26 miles. I cannot
imagine the sorrow this added to their still-fresh grief. All of the Sandy Hook
runners were safe.
For me it is too early to offer any insight, for
like the rest of the country, I am still processing the horror. I know that
once again we are filled with fear. I know that once again we are called to
courage. I know that what we can do right now is pray for the victims and their
families. And I believe we must also pray for the person or persons who caused
this tragedy. For if we harbor hate in our hearts, we add to the division and
violence that calls people to this kind of action.
like the rest of the country, I am still processing the horror. I know that
once again we are filled with fear. I know that once again we are called to
courage. I know that what we can do right now is pray for the victims and their
families. And I believe we must also pray for the person or persons who caused
this tragedy. For if we harbor hate in our hearts, we add to the division and
violence that calls people to this kind of action.