To the Editor:
Our nation, once again, is grieving needless loss of life and lives changed forever because of hatred. Once again, we’re left asking “why” in questions which can’t be answered.
My sweet daughter-in-law Erin posted something wonderful on Facebook which may ease the sadness, if only a little. She posted a quote from Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood) which says, “when I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.”
There are many urban myths regarding Fred Rogers – a military career or a shady criminal past – all false. The truth is that Mr. Rogers was a beloved children’s show creator, an educator, songwriter, author and ordained Presbyterian minister. He was a man of faith who enriched the lives of countless children. He was indeed a helper of the highest degree, visible in our homes for over 30 years.
As the horrific events of Monday unfolded before our eyes, we saw sudden destruction of life and just as suddenly, so many helpers on the scene. I’ve been thinking today of all the unseen helpers of yesterday – not on camera but bursting into action behind the scenes almost immediately: EMT’s, police, firefighters, citizen helpers, the runners who donated blood, the nurses and doctors in all the emergency rooms, the surgeons who saved lives.
Locally, we have our own helpers, many who are volunteers who don’t help for the glory of it, just because help is needed. We have our firefighters, our friends and neighbors, our volunteers at schools, our service organizations, our Sunday School teachers, our first responders.
There’s something that can never be destroyed, killed or mutilated by the cowards who hide in the shadows while creating chaos and horror. That’s our God-given human spirit of hope and help. Indeed, we need to “look for the helpers.” They were everywhere in Boston Monday. They are all around us here, as well.
