This past Monday, April 15th 2013, 2 explosions
rocked the finish line at the Boston Marathon killing three and injuring hundreds
of people. This violent event is just
one of many that has occurred in my lifetime, and again, has left me reflecting
on life. It’s moments like this that bring so much emotion even though it did
not affect me directly. But I can’t help but feel sad, angry and questioning
why somebody would do such a thing. I often sit and wonder what these innocent
lives did to deserve this...They didn’t.
As people gathered around a
26.2 mile course to witness enduring
runners complete a challenge like no other, spectators, tourist, and helpers joined together to celebrate these runners. If
there is one thing that resonates with a marathon it would be unity. More than
27,000 people run each year at the Boston Marathon with multiple different countries joining together
to create a sense of peace. Now, I have never ran a marathon nor have I been to
one, but my husband, and many of my
friends, coworkers, and peers have and they all seem to have a uniform censuses
on what a marathon encompasses. Integrity, endurance, and unity are just a few
adjectives that can be used to describe these people’s experiences with a
marathon. Not only from a runner’s standpoint but also everyone involved. It’s
a celebration. Whether you are celebrating crossing the finish line or a close
one’s accomplishment, or even completing a community service project because
you spent the day handing out water or supporting the runners, it is a
rewarding experience for many. The other unique part for a marathon, no one is
required a ticket for entry. These thousands of people show up to show their
support for people they may not know. Including those so eagerly waiting at the
finish line. For most people it is a day free from problems and a day to relish in
harmony, union and celebration; a day of joy and achievement. No one loses as
each person participating gains some sort of personal accomplishment.
When someone suddenly interrupts that joy it becomes
absolutely senseless. My heart broke all the way from Iowa, along with the rest
of the world watching the news. It was an attempt at destroying a recreation we
so freely join in many times a year all across our country. Never giving it a
second thought that something like this could happen at such a joyous occasion. Innocent
bystanders taken from us far too early for no reason at all.
I have always been someone who strives to a better person
every day, but this feeling has not resonated with me as much as it did on
Monday. Maybe it’s because I’m a little older now and I have a whole different
perspective on life. Or maybe it’s because so many sacrificed themselves to help
others. Whatever it may be I want to continue my life finding the good in the
world and sharing my helping hand to others. Whether it be finding one charitable
cause a month or just sharing a smile with a stranger on the street, no good
deed is too small or goes unnoticed. Don’t sweat the small stuff and enjoy each
moment, because that’s what matters the most in life. And I hope we unite as a
country and make the next major marathon a celebration of joy and triumph.
With that said, I continually believe that for every one bad
person there are hundreds of good people filling our Earth. We will never be
able to get rid those who choose to bring evil to our life, but we can continue
to reach out to those who bring joy to our life. If don’t we let the bad win. In the wake of these tragic events, I can only hope we can stand up to these challenges and be become better people because of it.
.JPG)
