As parents, we know these contrary forces well. They are the monsters that wake our children from their slumbers and the angels that watch over our children while they sleep, good and evil, joy and sorrow, health and disease. We want our children to feel all of the good and none of the bad, but it seems no matter how we try to shelter and protect them, we can not shield them from the evils of the world.
Our family spent the Patriot's Day holiday weekend in Hampton, NH and we had the most wonderful weekend. Carelessly walking along Hampton beach and peeking around the boardwalk. Flying kites, chasing waves, exploring a little summer town we had never been to. Eating WAY TOO MUCH and then eating some more. We played with our koko and laughed at her new found obsession with seagulls. We enjoyed having breakfast prepared for us every morning and a dip in the pool & hot tub when our days activities had come to a close. On Sunday we visited a ward in Exeter and felt the sweet spirit of truth as we laughed and discussed our faith among strangers that felt uniquely like friends. Such a testament that our souls understand the same truths and feel unified by our love for the Savior. In our Sunday-School, visitors were introduced. A gentleman from an older couple shared that they were travelling through because he was running the Boston Marathon on the next day. It was his third time running the Boston Marathon, but his wife had said he had run close to 20 marathons if not more. Among the group there were smiles and gleeful congratulations at this man's accomplishments and upcoming event. My immediate thought was that I would love to take the girls to watch the marathon and how in just a few years they would love and appreciate the energy and camaraderie of the crowd welcoming in the marathon runners. Gathering up the girls from Primary, it warmed my heart that they were giving hugs and saying their goodbyes to their new friends. Ella even asked if we could come back and visit next week...eerily unusual for her.
Monday was spent packing up and playing on the beach. Memories made and hearts full, we drove up to Portland and ate the most bomb-diggity flatbread pizzas at one of our newly found fav spots in Portland. Flatbread. As I was prepping to send out my rave review on facebook I started noticing some daunting posts from my fb family...and then I saw a post about the devastating explosions from bombs that had been planted at the finish line of the marathon in Boston. I was overcome with emotion that a place meant to be an avenue of personal triumph and celebration was transformed into a gravesite within seconds. I felt devastated that it felt unsafe to take our children to even the most family friendly of events. I felt sickened that only hours before we wished that lovely couple well on their way to the very marathon that was tainted by terrorism. I was distraught for all those times I felt thankful that we didn't have to fear suicide-bombers among our city streets, and how those sentiments seem to be becoming a sentiment of the past.
As reactions trickle in among the many avenues of social media...people are sad, angry, thankful, giving...and grieving. We sit and watch the news feeling so very helpless. I just wish I could keep my precious little family safe in the shelter of my love. But I know that the only thing I can do for sure, is to continue to have faith. I can't protect them, I can only love them through whatever lies ahead; good or bad.
Terrorism strikes Boston
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