hope – Cindy Young-Turner

Holding on

So give me hope in the darkness that I will see the light
‘Cause oh that gave me such a fright
But I will hold as long as you like
Just promise me we’ll be alright
–“Ghosts That We Knew,” Mumford and Sons

It has been a difficult week or so (or year, actually). Recently I found out that a friend from college was killed during a robbery attempt. It was a random and shocking act of violence and my heart goes out to his wife and children and family and friends. It’s not supposed to be this way. I can’t help but think about how fragile life is and how things can change in an instant. Combine that with the state of the world these days and it makes you not want to get up in the morning.

Since hiding under a rock isn’t really an option, I guess taking it day by day is the way to go. I have friends dealing with serious health issues and depression and I wish I could make it all better for them. But I can’t. Sometimes there’s nothing we can do except be here for them and live our own lives. Find joy in the little things. Hug your friends and family. Do the things you love. Make every day count. It sounds cliche, but it’s the only way I can think of to get through it.

If all else fails, go outside and blow bubbles with a six-year-old. It was a small part of our vacation this summer but definitely a moment to remember.

Standing together

My heart is in Boston this week. I’m from Massachusetts and even though I haven’t lived there in a while, it will always be home. Patriots’ Day is a unique holiday. It celebrates the anniversary of the battles of Lexington and Concord in a state steeped in history. Growing up we celebrated with local parades, a day off school, and of course the Boston Marathon. Reading about the marathon has often filled me with a sense of awe. Running is not my thing. I’m amazed by the endurance of the athletes who participate. On Monday, I was horrified by what had happened and heartbroken about the lives lost and shattered and the people who will never be the same. The finish line of the Marathon should be a place for joy and triumph.

I’m filled with sadness over what’s been taken from us–innocence, a sense of security, life–and I’m also angry. Whatever coward did this wants us to live in fear and terror. I’m taking heart in all of the amazing stories of heroism from that day. People who leaped over barricades to help the wounded. Restaurants that stayed open late to offer a haven for those who needed it. Strangers offering rides, phones, a place to stay. There are so many small stories of humanity that shine hope into this darkness. That’s what keeps me going.

And you don’t mess with Boston. We’re made of strong stuff there. I’m standing proud with you all. We will not be broken.

Never again

Holocaust Remembrance Day was last week. A dear friend volunteers at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC. I’ve been there a few times and it’s incredibly moving. Not something you easily forget. And that’s the point, of course. We want to understand why and how such a horrific thing could have happened so we can prevent it from ever happening again. Yet slaughter on a large scale keeps happening. Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, Sudan. The fact is that the world has not stepped up to prevent things that “may” or “may not” be genocide. I realize I’m getting up on my soapbox here, but this is something I feel strongly about. People may argue that the rest of the world is not our problem and that we have enough problems here at home to deal with. Yes, there is a lot of work to be done in reducing the disparities in our own country, but we live in a global society. The world is everyone’s problem. Humankind should be our concern, regardless of country of origin, religion, race, gender, sexual orientation–we are all human beings and we all deserve a chance for a decent life.

I could go on about the ugliness that seems to have pervaded our country lately, the lack of respect and common decency, but I’d rather end with two quotes that really speak to me.

“Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind.”
―John Donne

“First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—
because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me—
and there was no one left to speak out for me.”
― Martin Niemöller

This is why we should never forget.