“A tree takes a long time to grow, and wounds take a long
time to heal. But we must begin. Those who are lost now belong to God. Some day
we will be with them. But until that happens, their legacy must be our lives.”
-Bill Cinton in his Oklahoma Bombing Memorial Speech
I know the Boston Marathon and West, Texas tragedies are
weighing hard on all of our hearts this week. As an Oklahoman, I know many
people who can relate with everything that those affected are currently going
through. I can’t say that I know firsthand; I was just 4 years old on the
morning of the Murrah building bombing. The only thing I remember is my parents
watching the news that evening and, even then, I don’t know if that’s a true
memory. I had no idea until last year that my dad actually felt the blast while
at work just a few blocks away. However, I do know that the tragedy brought us
together and helped to shape us into the amazing community we are today.
I received a few texts immediately following the news of the
Boston bombing, asking if I was still going to run the upcoming Memorial
Marathon. They took me completely by surprise. It is almost a no-brainer that
this marathon would go on. After all, that is exactly the spirit behind which
it was organized. Last summer, I finally visited the Memorial with family
members and I’ve never had a more humbling experience regarding my upbringing.
I am so proud to be from a place which rose from a tragedy so gracefully and I
am glad to see that Boston is doing the same. In a week’s time, I will be
running the marathon. Not just for myself, not just to remember the 168
victims, but also to show my respect for the Boston community.
I personally hate politics because of how much it divides
people. I hate election time. I hate to hear people bitching at each other
because of differing views. Maybe I have the soul of an old hippie or something
but I just wish we could exist as a country that works together and makes
compromises in order for the best outcome. After visiting the memorial, the
thing that stuck out to me most was how much support the rest of the country
gave to Oklahoma in our time of need.
If we can do anything to show the people of Boston that we
are there for them, then, by God, let’s. Put on your red socks next Sunday and run the
marathon, the 5k, the relay or just come out and cheer the runners on. <3
