Photo Credit: dailybail.com
Today we were witnesses of a horrible attack on the innocent bystanders of the Boston Marathon. As I’m typing this they are still working frantically to help the victims, search for clues and hopefully find those responsible. No doubt we will all remember this day. We’ll remember where we were when we found out. If we had loved ones or friends in Boston today, we’ll never forget waiting to hear whether or not they were hurt. It is a sad day.
Eyewitnesses are being interviewed non-stop by every media outlet in Boston. They provide important clues about this tragedy in a way no one else can because they saw things from their vantage point maybe no one else did. It is hard to listen, but we’re riveted. We keep watching, praying and hoping the world isn’t as bad as it seems. But it is.
Tragedies define us as a nation and as individuals. We become a product of the events we’ve experienced and for the rest of our lives we’ll reflect back on what our eyes have seen.
This provides us an important question to ask your elder family members:
Question #16 – What national tragedies have you lived through and what ones, if any have you witnessed yourself? Where were you at the time, and how did it affect your worldview?
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This is post #16 in the challenge to post everyday in April.
Write from the heart 
Thanks for the thought provoking question Debi. Although I did not live through it at the time, I made two trips with my boys to New Orleans to help in the Katrina clean up efforts. How did this affect my world view? The heard many stories from those that lived through the disaster and the common thread was that it was not the government that provided aid but the people that lived through it. Family and friends pulled together and moved forward one day at a time. So my takeaway … people are what matters. All the money in the world can’t replace the relationships we have, yet they seem to be the first thing to get sacrificed when times are good. My encouragement – don’t wait for a tragedy or disaster to strike to thank someone you know for what they mean to you.
Barry,
Your comment is so well said. Thank you for sharing your experience in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. You’re right–“All the money in the world can’t replace the relationships we have, yet they seem to be the first thing to get sacrificed when times are good.” We never know when we’ll get a phone call that changes our normal forever. May we live today in light of this possibility…not in a morbid sort of way, but in a way that doesn’t take the blessings we have for granted.
Blessings to you,
Debi
Good, positive way to follow-up on this terrible tragedy. Let’s not waste the loss, but let’s see how we can move forward in faith and compassion and purpose.
Visiting from the Ultimate Blog Challenge. We’re on the home-stretch for April!
Thank you for stopping by, Linda. It always helps when facing such tragic circumstances to take a step back to see what we can learn from it. You’re exactly right–we shouldn’t waste the loss.
Grateful you joined the conversation,
Debi