Find Hope

Like many of you, I spent the majority of yesterday glued to the news and social media. I sat stunned, unable to tear myself away from the news that continued to break my heart. I found myself momentarily lose faith. After all, the past several months in our country have been heartbreaking. I never wrote about Sandy Hook because I couldn’t talk about it. I kept imagining if it were my students, and I thought of how much I love them. I couldn’t watch the news, and I couldn’t talk about how I felt.

Then yesterday as I watched and waited for the news on my friends’ finish times, everything changed in one moment, and my heart dropped. This time also felt too close to home, but I couldn’t not watch. I watched helplessly as my heart sank further and further into my chest, with the reality of both tragedies weighing down on it.

But then I saw a photo of the people who rushed in to help. Yes, in these horrible situations there is 1, maybe sometimes a small few, person/people with cruelty and hatred int heir heart, but there are millions with love. There is good, love and kindness all around. If we forget that, we’ve let the hatred win. I refuse to let them win, and while that doesn’t mean I am not still heartbroken, I am equally inspired by the strength of this community.

This morning I am inspired and comforted by the words of my amazing coach.

“The marathon community/running community are shinning examples of GOOD!!! With the support of our running community…dreams are achieved, challenges are overcome,  friendships form, friendships turn into family,  lives change for the positive. Our running community is experiencing a tragedy, but we will find strength in each other and we will continue to shine, support, celebrate and overcome.

 This tragedy darkened everyone’s “Dream Boston Marathon Experience” but we will not let it stop our celebration of the good, the positive and the successes!

 We are a SUPPORTIVE, STRONG, COMMUNITY of runners that will continue forward as shining examples of the GOOD in this world!!”

So let’s be the good in the world. Let’s give to those who are grieving, and do everything in our powers to make this world better. Let’s love unconditionally and preserve our idealism. Let’s not give the monsters behind these attacks any more power. And let’s continue to be that amazing, strong, and inspiring community we are known for being.

**My heart goes out so deeply to those who were effected–directly, or indirectly, and I am filled with gratitude for every single individual who jumped in to help. This world is filled with heroes.