Day 21 - Boston...Helpers

It's been over 24 hours since the bombs went off at the Boston Marathon.  We've had time to process this whole thing bit further but probably are no closer to understanding the hows and whys of this event than we were yesterday.  Investigators are combing through cell phone records and tracking down photos and videos taken at the race for clues as to who planted the bombs.  Medical teams are still working on the various injured people who flooded their hallways in the moments after the first blast.  Family members are maybe hearing from their loved ones for the first time.  Street crews are beginning to clean up the debris that police officers have combed over for clues.

The world keeps turning.  The morning came.

It is hard to comprehend humanity at times like this.  At times like Newtown.  At times like Aurora, CO.

It takes us time to process the events.  We go through the phases of the emotional cycle of death - denial, anger, depression...we feel helpless.  We want to help and wonder how.

Some of us will strike out in anger.  Others will hug their kids a little tighter.  Some will internalize the feelings.  Others will be pulled to help those around them in response to a tragedy states away.

There will be analytical articles, expressive poems, and a multitude of blogs posted over the next few days.  One blogger posted after he heard about the Boston Marathon Explosion.  One line really stuck with me:  "One of them [prices and penalties incurred for the daily miracle of existence] is, every once in awhile, the wiring of a tiny sliver of the species gets snarled and they're pointed towards darkness."

This is a significant point.  There are billions of people on earth.  A sliver of them commit evil acts.  Millions more contribute to the good of this planet.

A quote that circled after Newtown and will circle again is the one from Fred Rogers (aka Mr. Rogers):  "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.'"

When we feel helpless and stuck because of the distance from the tragedy or a lack of direction of what to do, there is hope found in those individuals who are there.  The runners that turned away from the finish line towards the blast.  The National Guard members who ran towards explosions that probably sounded eerily familiar from their times overseas.  The medics and first responders on site for the runners turning towards those injured in the blast.

Mr. Rogers' quote reminds me of a speech from one of the best written shows to date - The West Wing:
"Three swimmers from the men's team were killed, and two others are in critical condition, when, after having heard the explosion from their practice facility, they ran into the fire to help get people out.  Ran into the fire.  The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels tonight..."

The way Martin Sheen delivers the speech is breathtaking:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQWxgnFc1fk .

I've seen the episode no less than eight times, and it still brings me to tears because it highlights the hope in humanity rather than focusing on the evildoers, something we do too often in this society.

Someone once told me that worry was the prayer for things you don't want.  This train of thought could possibly be extended.  The more we focus on the darkness, the greater it will grow.  The less we focus on the light...the helpers....the smaller they will become.  It is a time as a society to look at those individuals who ran towards those hurting.  Lift them up.  Praise them.  Focus on them.  Put their names in the headlines.  Let the police and investigators focus on the sliver that perpetuated the crimes.  Let them make their darkness smaller.

I hope and pray those responsible will be brought to justice.  I hope and pray the three dead, the other hundreds injured and their families will find peace.  I hope and prayer we as a country can magnify the light.

Cheers,
Megs