i love you, boston

I am ok. My loved ones are ok.
There are victims of yesterday's tragedy who cannot say the same thing. They are not blessed with the opportunity to go home and blog about their shock and anger. They are in the midst of too much pain...or already departed from it.
So I begin from there. And I am humbled by it. I am sad and shaken.
I was at the 25 mile mark at 2:50 yesterday.

I jumped up and down as my friend trudged by and managed a weak smile. As he was passing, we were receiving news of the explosions at the finish line, and I wondered what exactly he was running into. And I wondered about his girlfriend, waiting for him at the end. (They are both ok.)

I was not close enough to feel a tremor or hear the boom. I was not close enough to feel panic. In truth, I was a world away from it all. And for that, I am eternally grateful.

I saw this image floating around yesterday...

I was struck by the same thing many others were struck by: the first respondents...police officers, but also volunteers, organizers, spectators...ran into danger without hesitation. It makes you lose your breath. Thank you.
How can we face the madness with love?
All we can do is go forth every day and do the right thing. In small moments, we can choose to do the kind thing, the responsible thing, the giving thing. Love begins with those smallest of decisions, I think. Not just in these days following our tragedy...every day.
Because every day we step out into this world, we take a risk. Sometimes tragedy strikes. And we can only hope that those around us will keep doing the good.
I love you, Boston.



wise words here and here and here