You had several cousins there

The finish line of a race of any length brings satisfaction. Today, that was not the case in Boston. I can’t stop thinking about it. The celebration that is the Boston Marathon turned to devastation. My heart is heavy; my stomach in knots; and my smile gone missing.

I have not turned on the television. I am avoiding the newsfeeds online. Instead, I read updates posted by friends on Facebook. With each one, tears for the victims, survivors, family, and friends threaten to make an appearance. I cannot make sense of it. Why is it bothering me so much? I don’t know any of the victims. I don’t know anyone running in the race.

The explosions at the end of a race should be ones of celebration. Instead, we reach out to comfort one another. To make sense of what is happening. To wonder what our world is coming to. Sean is at war. He has had friends and brothers-at-arms hurt and killed due to explosions. While the events resonate with me each time it happens, I knew it was a possibility all along. That is what war is. The senseless maiming and killing of innocent people.

I can’t make sense of today’s incident. I don’t understand the cruelty it takes to cause harm to other people. Instead, I will do the only thing that makes sense to me when cruelty shows its evil face. I will reach out with kindness to those around me.

And then the text: You had several cousins there. There are no words.

Comments

Aging sucks.....or does it?

Upon first thought, watching a parent age sucks. Unnoticeable at first. A bit of a stoop, some creaking in the knees, whitening of the hair. The doctor’s visits begin, as do the pills One for high blood pressure, another to thin the blood, and a handful of vitamins to top it off. The signs are there, but it is easier to see him as he has always been. My father, a pillar of strength. Until my pillar was knocked off-kilter. A simple surgery and the mortality of my father looked me square in the eye when the drugs took hold of his brain. Amidst his fidgeting and confusion, I realized…AGING SUCKS! And then….enlightenment dawned upon me….AGING IS BEAUTIFUL Wrinkles tell of smiles while silver hair speaks a life of memories. Knees creaky after years of kneeling in prayer, offering up a lap, and climbing up the stairs for one more kiss goodnight. Almost forty-eight years of memories nestled in my heart. Memories of my father. Taking us to church each Sunday Building and fixing ...

The Next Chapter Begins...

The first round of tears happened during the 8 th grade promotion. It has been such a wonderful year with all of them – 7 th and 8 th graders alike. The second round of tears came when I learned I do not have a contract for next year. I will not be returning to Benson Middle School unless the displaced teachers do not jump at the chance for my classroom. Right after she told me, I did my best to remain professional and keep the tears at bay. Unfortunately, they came anyway. About the time the tears hit my eyes, an email a dear friend sent me when I first wrote about the contract situation came to mind: “There is always a reason for things. Maybe God wants you to move on and inspire other students.” I love what she says. I feel that with my whole being. However, it did not make hearing that I have no job any easier. So now what? I am floating off the edge again. My family began the year in two different states. We are reunited again in North Carolina. Both Tony and I ...

My Top 10 of 2010

At the stroke of midnight 2010, I was in New York City celebrating the year with a bunch of teachers from Uganda. I looked around me wondering how my life had gotten so good. My life was turning out quite different from the way I planned it 30 years before. Little did I know that 2010 was the year my life would begin anew. The year of reconnections. 10. The Unexpected From chickens to unemployment, private school to public school, house of four to a house of two, Sean moving back and a pimping Caddy, the unexpected continued throughout the year. It began with Stu Pecker Feathers, the chicken that wandered into our yard in the middle of the city of Pueblo. Stu found herself a place to roost and laid a dozen eggs before we said goodbye. As the school year ended, I found myself questioning if private school was where I wanted to be and Tony found himself out of a job. I found myself living in North Carolina with Patti, while Tony lived in New Hampshire with Sana. Surprisingly, Patti thriv...

Jumpin' Off the Edge

Search This Blog