There’s probably not much to write about yesterday’s events
in Boston, the place I called home for five years, that hasn’t been written
already by somebody far more articulate than me. And given that I didn’t sleep
last night because I’m shaken up by looking at way too many pictures of the
blown-out windows on the optical store I went to for checkups, I’m particularly
unlikely to write anything insightful.
But I do want to speak to the experience that yesterday’s
athletes missed out on, which, while not nearly as profound as the tragedy that
struck those injured in the bombing or their families, is a real loss. Some
missed the opportunity to fully celebrate what they’d worked months for, others
never even had the opportunity to finish. Still others were right at the finish
line during the explosion and undoubtedly experienced psychological trauma of
their own, even if they left the scene without physical injury.
While some may say that it’s thoughtless to even think
about this loss, or for one to take pride in their performance yesterday, in
light of the events, remember the following:
There will be births – many - on September 11, for years
to come.
Any year that December 7 falls on a Friday, Saturday, or
Sunday, plenty of people will get married that day, even though it marks the
anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
March 11? Job promotions will happen, and appropriately
celebrated, while memorials of the 20,000 Japanese who perished on that
date in 2011 continue at the same time.
On April 20, a Saturday this year, many people will
compete in previously scheduled athletic events – no disrespect to the 12
people who were murdered in a gunfire massacre at Columbine High School 14 years
ago.
Boxing Day is observed on December 26 in many countries, and
that didn’t cease after 2004 when over 200,000 people died in the aftermath of a
tsunami in South Asia.
And I’ll bet that on October 6 of this year, many of you
will go out to brunch on Sunday and relax, possibly giving a short, passing thought
to the start of the Yom Kippur War on that date 40 years ago.
In other words, tragic events never cease. But neither
does life. It can’t.
So if you had a great race yesterday, or if one of your
friends did, it’s ok to take pride in it and enjoy the moment. And to continue
on with life as we want and dream to live it, because it’s the only option.
Even on Patriots’ Day 2014.
Great post. I agree. It's cliche but the whole, "don't let the terrorists (or whomever did this) win" is applicable here. I'm very proud of folks who ran--those who finished and those who didn't. I hope they come back next year and kick even more ass.
ReplyDeleteI never before had any desire to run the Boston Marathon until yesterday!
ReplyDeleteThis is actually my favorite post I've read today. There will be tragedies and no matter how sad, they will occur. I am heartbroken and my thoughts go out not only to the runners, but nonrunners, community and everyone. Thank you for this Victoria.
ReplyDeleteExcellent perspective on this - some tragedies are remembered more than others, but they don't detract from the positive achievments that may also fall on the same day in years to come. I think September 11 in particular will always be a sombre day, and rightly so, but moving on with respect and rememberance is essential if we're ever to celebrate the living, as well as honouring the dead.
ReplyDeletexxx
Wonderfully written, Victoria.
ReplyDeleteI think people say things like "This is nothing like September 11th" because in many ways, that attack created a paradigm shift in this country. While the events of yesterday were horrible, I think they merely reinforce the feeling looming danger and insecurity that was already created by 9/11.
ReplyDeleteIt's pointless to try to compare things like this anyway, almost as pointless as CNN broadcasting the tip that the FBI is looking for a dark skinned male with a foreign accent in connection to yesterday's bombing.
It may have created a recent paradigm shift - we just have very poor memories of recent history as a country. As far as the feeling of looming danger and insecurity, all that's really changed is our "feeling" about it - we were never safe and secure.
Deletei haven't had many words the past two days, but great post.
ReplyDeleteYou really put it into words, I was feeling really bad for marathoners stopped at mile 25 or like you said, those who finished but couldn't celebrate or even recover, but then I felt like I shouldn't feel bad for them because so many were truly injured...yeah, it was just shitty all around.
ReplyDeleteI felt the same agony for the people forced to not finish, and then I read today about how some of them couldn't get back to their basic belongings - warm clothes, keys, ID, cash - until later this afternoon. It's not as tragic as loosing a limb, but it's still a God-awful experience.
DeleteYup. That is all. Yup.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully expressed. Thank you.
ReplyDelete