We are all Bostonians, all Newtowners, all marathoners: We have to keep running in our pain and anguish.
We are the mother and father of eight-year old Martin Richard. The family was there at the finish line Monday to cheer for friends. After the father had stepped away from the family for a moment, Martin went to give him a hug. Seconds later, back with his mother and sister, Martin was killed in one of the explosions. He had made a poster that urged “no more hurting people.”
The bomber will be held accountable, our president says. What else could he say? But was he right? There is no way to account for evil that allows such an act. The perpetrator almost surely will be found. But there will be no adequate accounting.
We are obliged to remember the depths to which humanity can fall. We know that just as Martin Richard was a noble spirit, others among us will engage in heinous, craven acts.
These acts are meant to kill, to undermine community, to mock humanity.
At least one commentator said innocence died in Boston on Monday. Innocents were murdered, to be sure. But innocence remained only for those who paid no attention to 9/11, Aurora, Sandy Hook and so many other atrocities in history.
So, once again, we are reminded that some are willing to kill 8-year-olds and grievously wound so many others. We must find whoever is responsible. We must learn what might have justified such an act. We must deal with them in accord with our values.
As we go forward, we must hold up the brave heart of Martin Richard and those he had hoped to protect.