As I hunched over the StarTribune, attempting to give my tired body a rest, a co-worker looked at the big-screen TV in horror and asked if that was a bomb. I turned to see “Terror at the Boston Marathon” above a photo as the news reporter was talking about the incident.
The break room was noisy – someone speaking loudly on his cell phone, people punching in, others punching out, lots of greetings and conversations. I couldn’t hear anything the news reporter was saying, so I stood next to the TV until the room cleared out as people went on their way.
I was mortified and in shock. Two bombs had exploded at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, injuring and killing spectators and runners. I hurt for those who were injured or killed, and for those who love them. I hurt for those who witnessed the carnage and will have those images imprinted on their minds forever. I hurt for our nation and the impact this will have on other events.
It doesn’t matter who did this, whether it was a locally born psychopath or a foreign terrorist, the fallout will be the same. Our way of life will continue to change. We stand and say we will be strong and will not let these acts of terror change how we live, and then we give away our freedoms in the name of security. Doing that didn’t stop this senseless act of horror.
It affects even the little things we do on a daily basis. We think twice about going to places where large groups are meeting. No longer do we send our children the three blocks down the street to the bus stop, we drive them there and pick them up when they get off the bus. Even if we dismiss the fear, it flashes through our minds as we determine our schedules.
How can anyone do things like this, whether it is the name of God, some other belief or vengeance? I can’t understand the premeditated, calculated act of killing and maiming others, of consciously planning to destroy them. Not only does it harm people, but it tarnishes an event that has been one of challenge, joy and celebration for a very long time. It will be ages before people will not think of this senseless act whenever the Boston Marathon is discussed.
We are all connected, regardless of the color of our skin, the way we pray or the clothes we wear. This act tore a hole in the fabric of our nation, our sense of security and the illusion of our safety, and though we will sew it up and move on, the scar will remain. I hope whoever did this is found before they can do it again. And I pray those who were at the event find healing, both physically and spiritually.
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