Any one of the camera angles showing the bombs exploding near the finish line of the Boston Marathon Monday tells the same story. Immediately after the explosion there is a surge of people running away from the blast; running understandably, for their lives.
At the same time there is a second group of people, many wearing yellow vests, running toward the explosion.
Those would be the first responders.
We have talked about it before. We will talk about it again; we will always talk about it: there is something magnificent about the makeup of these people. When the chips are down and everybody is running one way, their instinct is to run the other.
It takes a special kind of person to do that.
Coming out of this latest tragedy, we have read the stories of professionals and civilians who jumped in and lent a hand where they could, providing aid and comfort to the victims; strangers helping strangers; doing whatever was needed.
Kicking around online, there is a great photo of two civilians in street clothes helping direct traffic.
It’s a heart-warming scene in the middle of a heart-rending situation.
In terms of scale, we have seen bigger, badder and bloodier. We are thankful the carnage was relatively limited this time, because the alternative is too horrific to contemplate.
We give thanks, too, for the outpouring of support for Boston from across the country.
This one is close to home because Boston is really our big city. Much in the same way Boston’s four big league pro-sports teams stand in for the other five New England states without a big league team of our own, Boston stands in for us all.
For many Mainers, Boston is our go-to metropolis for culture and events.
There is something special about a spring day in Boston. There always has been and always will be. We recommend you take one in the next chance you get.
It is said that when we are cowed, when we let fear dictate our decisions, the terrorists win. Judging by the response in Boston on Monday, and from around the country in the hours and days since, the terrorist won’t win this one.
