I've actually been meaning to write this for a few days now, and wish I had sooner, since the longer I wait, the more I tend to forgot. Last week, so much tragedy happened around the world, it completely blew my mind. Really. None of it was personal to me or my life, yet it all effects us anyway doesn't it?
Monday, April 15th, at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, just after the 4 hour mark, 2 bombs were set off, killing 3 people, one of them being an 8 year boy, and 2 young women. Hundreds of people were injured and more then a dozen people had to have limbs amputated because of damage. Even more so, thousands upon thousands of people, we not able to finish a race, that they have probably dreamed about running in years and years. If your a runner, the Boston Marathon is typically a dream race. You train for days, months, years, decades even, to be able to get a qualifying time to be accepted into this road race. For many, it's a once in a lifetime dream, and accomplishment. It's something to be more then proud of. These poor people, had to stop short of that dream, get off the course, and be re-directed into libraries and churches, strangers homes, anywhere off the street in case more bombs were going to go off. People running the race, didn't know where or how their loved ones who were at the finish lining waiting for them were, or where to find them. Vise Versa, those at the finish line, waiting for their loved ones, have no idea where they were shuffled off too. EVERYONE came together to help those who were injured. Not only security and medics, but runners, civilians standing by watching, all while 2 brothers, radical terrorists walk away as if nothing is different. So sad and so scary. Needless to say, I went for a run that night. In honor of those who were not able to finish, who did finish, who finished while the bombs were going off, and those that may never be able to run again. Most importantly, for those who passed away at the evil hands of 2 young men.
I can't really remember what days the following things happened on, but they happened, none the less, all within the Monday to Friday time frame of last week.
I woke up in the morning, to hear of the Thruway (90 @ Silver Creek) being shut down due to a fatal accident. It was closed for hours. And hours. I think around 10 or so in the end. 4 Helicopters were called in, to air transport people to hospitals etc. It wasn't until the evening, when we were watching the news that we found out what happened. A mini Van, with 10 people in it, from the Buffalo area, driving back from Vacation in Florida, Hit a construction vehicle that was parking in the middle, between the East and West bound lanes. The Driver apparently feel asleep at the wheel. The thing is, there were 10 people, 3 of those adults, all in their late 20's, including the driver. 7 of them were children. A mini van, seats on 7 passengers More then half of those children were not in Car seats. INCLUDING a one month baby, who was sitting on the mothers lap in the passenger front seat.. It's sad to just write this. So tragic and unnecessary. The 3 passengers in the front seat were killed immediately :( that Included that little one month old innocent baby infant. My heart breaks for them all. Please, Please, Follow the law, buckle up, and put children in their car seats!!
That same evening, we heard of a couple found dead in their house, in a small town not too far from us (well maybe 100 miles) A young couple, in their 20's. He was in the air force, and she was a teacher. Had never caused any harm and it was determined not to be anything domestic. We learned the next day, they had been murdered, by 4 men. Another innocent death, of 2 people. I am thankful the men were caught and charged.
Wednesday morning we wake up to hear that there has been a deadly explosion in West, Texas. An explosion so big, that it leveled 4 city blocks and registered a 2.1 earthquake on the Richter scale. A fertilizer plant had exploded. In the devastation, 15 people have been confirmed dead thus far, and hundreds more, injured. A school, a nursing home, apartments, businesses, homes, all wiped away.
Thursday evening, pictures of the bombers, the brothers were released to the public.
We woke up Friday morning learning that Within hours of the pictures going public, the brothers were found, gun fire and bombs were thrown around, and one cop had been killed, as well as the older brother involved. This left the 19 year old brother, now alone, and on the run from the people. The City of Boston, was put on a lock down. No one was able to leave their homes and a 20 block perimeter in Watertown, MA was being searched door by door.
On my way into work that morning, 2 suspicious Russian people had been pulled over in Niagara falls, NY, possible suspects. Part of Niagara falls was perimetered off, the car being searched and Niagara falls in Lock down That was WAY to close to home for me. 30 minutes away!! In the end, they were let go, and charged with nothing, thankfully.
That evening, less then an hour after the stay in place was lifted in Watertown, a resident found the bomber hiding in his boat. Long story short, called 911, he eventually surrendered and was arrested. He was brought to the hospital in Serious condition, and is now listed in fair. He should live, which is great, answers as to WHY would be wonderful. I just learned today, in another news report, that the brothers had intended to place bombs in times square as well. I am glad he's been caught and am sure that justice will be served.
Then on Monday, we hear that 2 people are arrested in Toronto Canada (2 hours from home) they were planning on planting bombs on a passenger train, running from Ottawa, ON, Canada, through Buffalo, NY (5 mins from our home) to NYC. Terriosts of course. I guess this had been in the making for months, they were being watched and follow, and intelligence knew what was going on. Thankfully, they were caught in time, and no damage had been done.
All of this within a 7day time frame. I am scared for the future. For our children and grandchildren's futures. Alas, this is all history and things I will one day say, that I lived through. Documenting it here, may give us answers to the questions our grandchildren may ask one day. As sad as it is. So much tragedy in our world, in our country. So much sadness.
