This past week has been a rough one for our country. From Boston to Texas, tragedy struck abruptly. If you are like me, then you have been glued to the television, searching for meaning amongst the senseless violence in Boston or crying for the loved ones lost in Texas. The silver lining, if I can call it that, is the hope that springs from heartbreak, the humanity that connects all of us against evil and the reminder of the precious gift of life.
I was touched by the images I saw of people at the Boston Marathon running towards the bomb victims, not away from them. I cried when I saw the interviews with two local Texas nurses who ran to the explosion site and started to help with triage. It warmed my heart that a local 5k sprung up over the past weekend to raise money for Boston. Throughout this misfortune, I have continuously heard stories of the triumph of the human spirit…and it made me feel good about human nature, despite what has happened.
On Friday afternoon, I drove to Charlotte to visit my family for the weekend. I was listening to the constant updates on the news in the search for the 2nd suspect. It started to rain as I made my way. Suddenly, I hit a patch of water and hydroplaned. My car spun around, hit a guardrail and spun out again on an overpass. Miraculously, I wasn’t hurt. The car hit no one and no one hit me.
As I sat in the car, hyperventilating and in shock, people started to gather around the car. I’m not sure how long I sat there, but a woman appeared and helped me out of the car, along with my two dogs. Suddenly, a man walked up to hold an umbrella over us in the rain. Then, another woman stopped just to make sure I was okay. I couldn’t believe that these people were stopping on the highway, and in the rain to help me. The first responders comforted me. As I waited for my ride, which was an hour away, they took me to a Waffle House and sat with me. I was in awe.  I am so thankful for those people
Later, as I watched updates on Boston, I wondered what I would have done in that situation. I know the kind of person I want to be – one that runs to help, stops at the side of the road and comforts people in their time of need. Adversity makes us appreciate what we do have in life. I know that we all hugged our loved ones a little harder after the bombing. Let’s use this senseless act of violence in Boston, Texas explosion or personal misfortunes to appreciate the goodness in our lives, be grateful to be alive and figure out what is truly important to us. Take a moment this week to purposely count your blessings. I bet there are too many to even count. We sure are lucky. I know that I am. When we care about a world bigger than ourselves, we are happier. Let’s cultivate a better world together.

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