The National Guard at the Boston Marathon.
It’s not possible to imagine writing a blog post about anything right now in light of the horrific bombing in Boston yesterday.
I do want to share one observation, however. When I watched the footage of the explosions, I saw everyone (of course) running away, to safety. And then I saw the Boston police officers. They didn’t run away. They took a pause and then they started to run–towards the blast. Towards the smoke, and towards the wounded and the blood and the shrapnel. Towards someone’s son and daughter lying on the ground.
What an incredible show of courage and bravery: to choose a life where when things explode and people are dying and are maimed and losing limbs on the street, that you run towards them. And you risk your life because that’s your calling.
I’ve written about the fire fighter paramedics who saved my hand eight months ago when I was in a terrible car accident, but never more than today do I feel the need to salute the brave men and women of the police force, fire department, National Guard, Armed Forces, and all others who choose to run towards tragedy because it’s what they do.
It warms my heart and breaks it at the same time.
My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims, the city of Boston, and the families and friends of those who run towards bombs and smoke and horrific tragedy and not away from it.
Photo via Flickr/The National Guard
