What each of us is today is a reflection of experiences we’ve had in our lives. It is at the same time both interesting and frightening to take a look at different people and wonder what could have possibly happened to make them become what they have become. Have you ever thought about what may have happened in someone’s past to make them become what they are today?
Nothing brought that question more into focus than when last week we saw how countless nameless people; heroes without concern for their own safety went to the aid of those who were victims of the terrorist act perpetrated on the innocent at the finish line at the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 15, 2013. Without giving any thought to the potential risk to them; we saw first responders help those who were injured by this truly senseless act. In those who chose to become police officers, fire fighters, emergency medical technicians (EMT’s), whose job it is to serve the public we saw countless examples of valor and heroism. Amazing people; doing amazing acts to help all who were injured. Those brave men and women who run toward danger instead of from it.
Keeping in mind all that those public servants did to help during this tragedy, you have to then look at all of those who were volunteers working the race or those that were watching friends and family running the race who sprang into action to help all who were injured by this truly senseless act. How amazing these people were who you would have thought would have run from the danger, but instinctively ran towards it. What is it in their backgrounds that brings out that kind of reaction? That desire or need to help others. You would like to think that in that moment you too would choose to run toward the danger and help rather than run from it.
Last Saturday at Fenway Park where the Red Sox were playing the Kansas City Royals you had to watch in awe at the tribute to victims and heroes of the Boston bombing. Neil Diamond was there leading the singing of his song “Sweet Caroline” and then the “National Anthem” was sung by all in attendance. It was inspiring to watch and all of Boston united in that ceremony. Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz said, “This jersey that we wear today, it doesn’t say Red Sox, it says Boston. We want to thank you, Mayor Menino, Governor Patrick, the whole police department for the great job they did this past week. This is our %$&+#@* city! And nobody going to dictate our freedom. Stay strong.” The Red Sox ended up winning the game 4 to 3.
In the Netflix mini-series “House of Cards” the main character is Frank Underwood, a member of the United States House of Representatives. Whether you like Frank or not he is a composite of his past, the experiences he has had in his life. While sitting at his favorite restaurant in Washington, D.C., a hole in the wall barbeque joint Frank listens to the owner of the restaurant, a man named Freddie while Frank is enjoying a plate of ribs. Freddie is telling him about a near-miss accident involving a refrigerator falling off a minivan on a highway. After listening to Freddie tell how he almost died swerving out of the way of that refrigerator Frank looks in the camera and tells us, “See, Freddie believes that if a fridge falls off a minivan you better swerve out of the way. I believe it’s the fridge’s job to swerve out of mine.” When you think of all those first responders and civilian volunteers who ran toward the danger and risked their lives to help those in need they believed that it was the refrigerator that needed to swerve.
To all of those who want to bring harm to our nation you should know that there are countless Americans who will not swerve. Hat’s off to all of those who ran toward danger in Boston this week to help those who needed help.
To those who perpetrated this act, there is a special place in hell for you.
Just sayin’.
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