Boston Part 2

Friends! 

I apologize that it has been so long since I last blogged.  I kid you not when I tell you, we have been sick the better part of the last month!  Ear infections, viruses, stomach bugs, allergies...ear infections AGAIN...it's been ridiculous!  I am so ready for good weather being here to stay (and dandelions dying away fast)! 

In my last post, I spoke about the horrific events that occurred in Boston.  I wanted to take another moment to share my thoughts further, if you'll allow it. 

Sidenote: This post is based on the news as we have been told...unassuming of any other theories on what happened that horrific day. 


As we heard more and more about the Boston bombings, I went through many of the same emotions Elisabeth Kubler-Ross uses to describe the grieving process (Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance); as I am sure many of you also went through or may still be going through as we grieve the loss of incredible friends, family members, relatives, and fellow Americans.  Then, I started thinking about the suspects and I felt something I was really uncomfortable feeling!  I felt pain and grief FOR THEM!  I didn't want to share this with anyone for fear I'd be looked down upon or hated by red-white-and-blue blooded Americans...those of whom I consider myself to be a part of!  After many days of thinking through all of my thoughts, I decided I needed to share them and explain exactly why I feel them so strongly...

I am one of three girls.  My older sister is 2.5 years older and my younger sister is 11 years younger!  It is amazing to have this age range and I wouldn't change it for the world.  As the years have gone on, I can 100% say that I would do ANYTHING for my sisters...whatever they need, I am there for them (even at 2am when I'm getting a call to pick someone up from a bar...but that's for another day).  When my older sister became a widow, I felt sick to my stomach that I couldn't help her move back home because I was still nursing a very colicky little guy.  When my younger sister was ill as a teen, I cried myself to sleep each night, praying that she would be well again so that we could enjoy all that life had given her together! 

Now that my baby sister is 18 years old and a super successful college student (hello 4.0 her freshman year...many higher level classes--sorry Em, have to brag about you); I can't imagine ever jeopardizing her education, career, life plan, etc.  I am so proud of the young woman she has become and I cannot wait to see where life will take her over the next 10 years and on!  The amount of potential she holds in her skinny little body is immeasurable and to be at a point in our lives where we can be sisters AND good friends is so great!  There is something so gratifying about having such a strong bond with someone who knows all of the things that makes you tick and loves you anyway! 

On the other hand, having the chance to be an older sister to her; to give her guidance when she asks, but also give her independence when she needs it, is a challenge!  How do you protect someone from making mistakes you have seen yourself make in the past, while also letting her spread her own wings and learn on her own!?  I guess that's what makes life such a beautiful dance...we cannot lead unless the other person is willing to follow...but then it wouldn't really be their dance, now would it?

Here is my point...as an older sibling, I try my hardest to help my sister grow on her own (even when she thinks I'm butting in--trust me Em, it could be way worse! :P) into the individual she needs to be.  At only 18 years old, I know she is only beginning to see what crazy good and evil this world has in it.  It pains me to know that with 11 years between us, she will probably see much more evil than I live to see.  If there was any way to keep her safe each and every moment, I would do that...because she is my sister and I love her. 

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19 years old, a smart, high-potential young man, with a budding scope of the world most young adults have, trusted his brother.  Why wouldn't he?  He and his brother came here together; they stayed close.  Why would he question anything his brother told him...afterall, older siblings are typically wiser...right?  Tamerlan Tsarnaev was an older brother.  He could have helped protect his brother from evil...even if he thought the US was evil, he could have shielded his brother from the things he found unjust.  He could have allowed his brother reach the potential he had and become a world-class adult.  Instead, he used his older brother rank to fill a need for himself...he manipulated a bright young mind.  And then, he let his brother take all the heat for both of them...
 What kind of life did Tamerlan have that this became his only out?  What was missing in him that made him want to do this?  What hate was he shown that made him show others such hate?  Do I show others hate?  Did these young men ever feel acceptance?  If so, where?  Do I try my hardest to help people feel accepted?  Doesn't everyone deserve some sort of acceptance?


As a religious person, I've always been told to turn the other cheek on hatred...never let anyone take away the love I have in my heart.  Stories like these pain me for so many reasons...and I ache so badly for those who were lost or injured in Boston.  I can only pray that, from this, we learn that hatred does not heal hatred...and sometimes, all we can do is pray for the acceptance of all individuals.