Like many Americans, I was transfixed to my television
yesterday as news of the bombing at the Boston Marathon unfolded. The initial
explosion was replayed countless times until I couldn't look anymore. I had
thought that through constant watching, I would somehow numb myself to it, but
instead only became more distraught each time the concussive blow went off. The
one thing that caught my eye amid all of the chaos, and kept me watching, was
the bunch of yellow balloons.
There is an initial jarring, and movement forward, then
immediate release up to the sky as the holder of those balloons’ life changed
forever. One can’t help but wonder if it was a child holding those strings
tightly and possessively as children do of things full of wonderment and
delight, only to have it ripped away. It’s a disturbing thought; and one I can’t
seem to get out of my head. Life can change in a nanosecond, in the best but
more often, worst of ways. It’s how we respond to these tragedies that make us
who we are as a nation.
And the responders were many.
Another thought I had while watching the terror unfold was
of people’s response to the event. You see some running away in fear, and some
rushing in to help. I even asked myself the question: What would you do? Would
you run away? Or would you run in to help? I’d like to think if I didn't have
my son with me, I would run in to help, but I can’t know that for sure. Can
anyone know what they would really do? Is there anything wrong with running in
fear? Of course not. There was complete chaos and confusion. It’s human nature
to want to protect yourself and your loved ones. That being said, it’s practically
unnatural to run towards mayhem instead of away, but yet people did it. The
sight of volunteers, police, National Guard, and even just bystanders ripping
that fence away to get to the wounded was inspiring, and shows the true heart
of our nation.
This attack, from whoever it was, was not the first, and
unfortunately most likely won’t be the last. We are all reminded of previous
events that have tried, but failed, to shake our resolve. We are a free
country. We have an open society. And the world is a dangerous place. It is a
hard fact to live with, but somehow we do. We go on; a little thicker skinned,
and a little more wary.
Tragedy can strike anywhere, and anytime, but I am heartened
in light of those yellow balloons lifting untethered to the heavens, that there
are courageous souls willing to run in to help.