The United States received several reminders on Monday.
As everyone knows by now, terrorists detonated two bombs at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Yes, I called them terrorists. They commited an act intended to inflict terror. Has nothing to do with where they are from or what they look like.
We were instantly reminded that we are still very vulnerable. Despite all our best efforts since September 11, 2001, we are still vulnerable to terrorism. Two men walked down the street, dropped their backpacks on the ground and walked away. Minutes later, three are dead and hundreds were wounded. An eight year boy, a Chinese student, and a young female waitress - gone. In literally a puff of smoke.
We are also reminded that we have successfully avoided this situation many times before. I daresay we do not even know how many times a potentially devasting event was thwarted. If you see something, say something. A simple phrase, but effective.
Sadly, it also took an event like this to remind us that we are all humans and we come together for each other when needed. Runners stopped running and spectators stopped watching and started helping and doctoring - carrying out the injured, applying tourniquets, calming the wounded. Anything they felt they could do.
It was no longer a race, but a race against time.
Much like September 11, for that moment in time, we were all just Americans. Angry, ticked off Americans. Not Democrat or Republican. Not liberal or conservative. Not Yankee or Southern. Just neighbors helping neigbors.
I know I've asked before, but why does it take this kind of reminder? Why can't we all continue to live with the spirit in which we currently find ourselves? Why do we allow ourselves to be attacked, invaded, wounded, knocked to the ground before we step up and stand shoulder to shoulder with our fellow man? Is this what it takes to get citizens to stand up and sing our National Anthem? Do we need this type of a reminder to reach out to our fellow man and reach with an open hand and not a closed fist?
I have to wonder why they chose this event. I guess because of the crowd, but there are lots of events that could have been targeted. As I alluded to earlier, maybe larger events have been unsucessfully targeted. As a new runner, it does bother me. I would love to say I hope to qualify for the Boston Marathon someday. (A stretch, I know, but I'd at least like to watch it at some point.)
But, as a friend pointed out, I do believe it is symbolic that the bombs went off at the Finish Line. Starting a race is pretty cool; finishing one is awesome. Crossing that line - first, tenth, fiftieth, doesn't matter - is a feeling unlike any other. It is an accomplishment. As I commented, it is an "I really did it!' moment. The terrorists took away that accomplishment. They stopped a major event and temporarily crippled the United States.
Crippled, but not paralyzed.
Our annual family girl's trip this summer is to Boston. Been planned for many months now. I want to go and stand in that space. Feel the American Spirit present. Same as Billy and I visit Ground Zero in New York. To be reminded.
Reminded that when the chips are down there is no one else I'd rather have by my side than a fellow American. Reminded that not everyone in the world loves us and our way of life and it is solely up to us to protect it. Reminded that some people have no regard for human life but we can make sure that no loss of life is in vain. We can and will bounce back, and do so even stronger.
And if any more terrorists groups forget that, we will be happy to remind them.
