I usually only have one day off a week, Monday. So Sunday, I drew up plans for my day off. Wake up late (9am) and do some studying. Go to the gym, have lunch, take a nap, do some more reading, cook dinner and go see a friend; all before choir rehearsal at 7pm. I didn’t plan to have news of an unexpected tragedy and accompanied by endless emotions.
I woke up unexpectedly early to take my sister to school. It was rainy and I love rainy days, as long as I don’t have to get out of bed, so much for that. I’m not all that experienced with redeveloping my days’ format on the spot when something unscheduled happens. The frustration typically starts at this point but I tried my best to go along with the flow of the day. I went back home and sat in the comfy chair reading, waiting to doze back off. That didn’t happen. My best friend and roommate decided to take the day off too. Happy to have her company we had breakfast together and watched an exciting episode of my favorite TV show before I actually did fall asleep in our comfy chair.
I woke up mid-afternoon and decided to tackle a job that’s been on my to-do list for some time. The bookshelf took about an hour and a half to put together (it’s still laying face down on my bedroom floor) and I was proud to have done it, especially when all I wanted to do was lay in bed. We then decided to take a trip to the thrift store and were headed out the door when she gave me the news of the Boston Marathon Bombing. She was informed by a friend via text. My first reaction has become my usual reaction over the last few years, again?
As the day went on and I was exposed to more detail about the marathon bombing and I began to think, better yet, feel. For the first time I could feel the sadness. I was always sorry to hear about an event like this but this time I really could feel it. I couldn’t stop my mind from putting me in the position of the people who were there at the race and had planned their days just as I had planned mine. How it must have been to be there and hear the screams, the blood and the tears.
I came to the realization that as I get more and more familiar with the concept of we are all one the more I feel in the way of compassion and empathy. I lost a friend in the Virginia Tech shootings and was moved by that naturally but it’s experiencing the pain of those I don’t know that is new to me, as rough and insensitive as that sounds.
Choir rehearsal ran a few minutes over last night. I was among the many that had been watching their clocks for the last thirty minutes of it. When our pianist mentioned the bombing and that we should all be in prayer for those that were involved, I felt a nudge to come together in prayer at that moment.
I got a few bad looks from those ready to go home but I know that in the end they felt better about themselves and the situation afterward. The power of unity is undeniable to me these days. Two or more coming together for a common cause is where it’s at, if you didn’t know. I do from experience. I’m more appreciative and thankful today.
Boston, our thoughts, well wishes and blessings are with you today. We are praying for you.
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