Boston, Mass.

Yesterday, April 15th, 2013, two bombs were detonated 100 feet from the finish line of the Boston Marathon. The act of terrorism weighs heavily on my mind. It's not like I have any big connection to Boston or the race specifically, but still I cannot shake it from my thoughts. Yes, I have a some friends that were there running or live there in Boston. No, nobody I know was hurt. So why then, does this plague me like this? At this point, there are 4 reported killed and 140+ injured. On the grand scheme of travesty, this is very minimal. Still, I dwell on it.

I learned of this pretty quickly after it happened, within an hour of the bombs going off. Social media is pretty crazy that way. News of the incident spread across the nation within minutes. Mostly started by people there telling their friends and families that they were okay. My emotions went first to shock, of course. But the swings between sorrow and shock and anger and desperation and... continued through the rest of the day, spilling over to my waking day today.

I am furious at the people that would even remotely entertain the idea of such an act. I do not envy them when they are found out. And wish the full force of “justice” to hit them as brutally as they struck out on society.

I am confused as to what statement or agenda they could have possibly wanted to make. To what ends did they think this would help their cause? Do they hate runners? Boston? What? Perhaps that is why I am so angry. There is no conceivable agenda with this targeted group. The conclusion then must be drawn that the offenders must have wanted to lash out on society with a general hate for humanity. I cannot sympathize with such stupidity or disregard for human life.

I feel great sorrow for those affected. Whether participant or spectator or support or friends and family, I mourn their loss and their fear.

I feel a great outpouring of love and respect for those that after the initial flinch, reacting to the blasts, went running to the aid of those injured. I saw footage of people tearing down fences, hoping over barricades, running to help those in need. It made me think of the Mr. Rogers quote when talking about great travesty to “look for the helpers.” It has been the most healing balm for me to have seen those rush to the aid of others. They did not care about their own safety as there may have been more explosions. They did not care about race or nationality, gender, age, sexual preference or political affiliations. All of the tedious an ultimately unimportant things of life were wiped from their minds as they saw the immediate need to help. That has been our greatest testament to the inherent good within us. To see the hurt and need of others, set aside our own issues and run to help.

To them, I say thank you. To those that ran to help, you are heros. It is on you, I rest my faith in humanity.