On days like this, it's hard to find words. The tragic bombing at the Boston Marathon today, killing at least 3 people and injuring more than 130, there is not much that can be said. The right words just don't seem to come. The footage of the blasts, knocking people over, maiming and even killing people, there are not many things that you can do but pray to whatever higher power you may believe in. One of the things I noticed in the videos, is how many people immediately ran right towards the blasts. First responders, race volunteers, even spectators, running to lift debris off of victims. This shows the what good can come in such a tragic event. People running into a very dangerous situation to help save the lives of complete strangers. It's quite remarkable what we are capable of in situations like this.
We have been lucky, of sorts, that we don't face situations like this everyday, like other countries do. The last act of terrorism on United States soil, that I can remember, is the tragic events that took place on September 11, 2001. Again, on that day, it showed the triumph of the human spirit, with first responders, and others, trying to save as many lives as possible, in such dangerous chaos.
I hope the Boston Marathon is run for a 118th year next year. It has endured through World Wars, 9-11, and even scandal. I believe it will endure through this as well. It just goes to show, no matter how much security there is at any sporting event, or anywhere a large crowd gathers, tragedy can strike at anytime. There has always been a fear at a sporting event, where large crowds gather, that something like this could happen. The Centennial Olympic Park bombing during the 1996 Olympics is another example of that. The book Black Sunday by Thomas Harris depicts a scenario where a bomb is on a blimp to be detonated during a Super Bowl. Luckily, that has never happened and hopefully never will.
Tonight, and in the days ahead, all we can do is pray for the victims, their families, and hope whoever is responsible is caught quickly and brought to justice. Sometimes when the right words escape us, a hug, a smile, a prayer, or an act of compassion is all we have to give. It's something we all should do every day. And there is no better time to do it than today...
