Inconceivable

I am.....flabbergasted, floored, flummoxed.   I am shocked, stupefied, sad, sympathetic.  I am confused and confounded.  I am overwhelmed by the sense of loss.  Loss of life, of limb, of innocence.  Loss of security.

There just aren't any words to adequately describe the stupidity, horror, senselessness of the Boston Marathon bombings.

We all want to know....who?  Why,  why, why?

It is beyond my ability to comprehend what sort of perverse mind could find any kind of satisfaction from the destruction of human life, from killing innocent bystanders, by killing and maiming children.

I'm not sure there will ever be any answer.  Even if there is,  in terms of a person apprehended, and a reason given,  I still don't think I will be able to fathom that kind of evil, or hatred, or anger, or intent.  And I suppose it is a very good thing that I cannot get into that person's mind, which is surely dark and demonic and desperate and deadly.

And so we try to make sense of it as best we can---to find something good in there somewhere.  And we find it.

There are always plenty of people who run into the chaos to help others.  One cowardly villain can produce a whole host of heroes.  We care for one another and worry about one another's safety.  A stranger steps up and holds the hand of a man who has lost his leg, stemming the flow of blood,  never leaving his side.  Another walks five blocks carrying an injured child to find an ambulance.  Hospitals and staffs use all their training and preparation, their abilities and resources to bring to bear healing in the chaos.

We reach out and call and give and share.  We grieve.  Oh, how we grieve!

Cards, calls,  flowers, hugs overflow.  Comfort is given and received.  Prayers abound.  Abound!

People get up and face another day.

There is courage in the going on.   Even if it is the only choice we have.