(via brain-food)
Timshel
Today I saw a friend’s tweet that said it was sad that all through today we heard the words “unbelievable” and “horrible” and “tragic,” but we never use the word “shocked” anymore. And I hate to admit, but I wasn’t shocked. It’s sad to think that in today’s world, we might be more shocked if something this disgusting DIDN’T happen.
I was young, 10, when the OKC bombing happened. I remember where I was and the panic that ran though our lives. Too close to home. I believe our 4th graders, some of our little brothers and sisters, were supposed to be at the state capitol that next week.
But we grew, soldiered on, and forgive me if I say we “forgot.” Obviously, we remembered, but at such a young age, you don’t understand the depth of what happened. You don’t take the time to think about it all. You might be happy you can go home from school early or if they cancel classes so the teachers can watch the news. I don’t think I thought of the children, or if I even knew there were children, that didn’t get to go home early. Or I guess I could say went Home way too early. I didn’t think about how grateful my mother was to see me that evening. I didn’t think about the mothers who didn’t get to see their babies.
Then just 6 years later, it happened all over again. This time I was 17 and it seemed like everything sank in at once. We noticed things like the fear and sadness our teachers wore. We felt it ourselves. We were no longer innocent to horror in the world. That makes the day even more sad.
Now something like the bombs in Boston happen and it’s almost as if we’re prepared for it. It’s sick to think we’re almost waiting for it.
But through the darkness, there is always a light. It was inspiring and truly AWESOME and AMAZING to hear the stories of people automatically running to the aid of others. Literally, running! Runners kept running to the hospital to donate blood! The people acquiring super-human strength to tear down fences and barriers to help! It makes you wonder what you would, could do in a situation like that. You can only hope you would be half as brave as them. The courage and support and compassion that has spread almost instantly makes the world and life beautiful again.
Any other day this would pain me to say, but as a Yankee girl from Oklahoma, Boston, my heart is with you.
“But you are not alone in this. And you are not alone in this.
As brothers we will stand and we’ll hold your hand, hold your hand.”
