This week I feel the need to write about my own response to last Monday’s Marathon bombings. As we all grapple with the effects of this latest violent assault, I find the words of local and national figures reassuring to me.  Governor Deval Patrick asked us all to “turn towards one another rather than away” from each other. His words ring true. The image in my mind is of our small community turning towards its members, including people, making sure everyone feels valued. Our children model this for us when they greet each other during Morning Meeting or wave as they pass siblings, friends and neighbors in the hallways.

 

President Obama focused on the good that rose to the surface when strangers rushed into the chaos to save strangers. His words of encouragement are a reminder to us all that each individual can make a positive difference in the life on another. “Even when our heart aches, we summon the strength that maybe we didn’t even know we had, and we carry on; we finish the race. We finish the race, and we do that because of who we are, and we do that because we know that somewhere around the bend, a stranger has a cup of water. Around the bend, somebody’s there to boost our spirits. On that toughest mile, just when we think that we’ve hit a wall, someone will be there to cheer us on and pick us up if we fall. We know that.”

 

In the days following the Marathon, so many questions have been raised. Some have been answered and more have come to light. The words of local pastor Liz Walker offer solace to us. She said, “Evil exists in the world, but evil will not have the last word.” We must all make a commitment in the face of this tragedy to turn towards one another, to come together.