Boston Marathon 2014

How do you show the world a race is the embodiment of strength and courage while in the midst of cowards who strike while hiding?  My friend ran the race this year as a tribute to the 2013 marathon bombing victims.  He isn't a veteran long distance runner.  He made the decision to race this year the moment news spread about the bombing last year.  He heard about it and knew he had to do something.  Competing in this year's marathon was his answer.

When cowards attempt to destroy people's lives through senseless acts of violence, the cowards almost always lose in the end.  There are few better motivators to bring people together, and strengthen their resolve than a common enemy and cause.  The human spirit is often far more resilient than people know.  The bombing last year has sent an unforeseen ripple effect through time which began to manifest the moment the energy was released from the device.

I think one of our country's strengths is our ability to fight against adversity.  Terror can never defeat us as long as we stand up and fight against it.  Running any marathon is a herculean feat, and this one  was also a symbolic gesture. It also serves as a reminder to all of those who wish to do harm to innocent people that there will be consequences far beyond what can be imagined.

My friend was already a hero in my eyes.  He is a nice guy, husband, father, job creator, and doesn't know the meaning of "I can't".  He has done a great deal of charitable work, and he is always willing to lend a hand to anyone who asks.  If he knew I was writing this, he would be upset with me for talking about it.  That's one of the reasons I haven't mentioned his name--no, you won't trick me into revealing it.  I've learned how to prevent that through extensive Jedi mind training.

I still think it's important that anyone reading this knows that there are people who don't care about accolades and do random acts of heroism simply because they can.  His act was a tribute to those who bravely stood against fear and fought back, and to remind us all that we are unbreakable when we stand together.  I remain in awe of those who are able to answer the inner call to do more than they have ever been asked to do.

To everyone who was affected by the bombing last year, I am only one man with one voice, but I stand behind you from my keyboard.  People far better than I--like my friend--will run, walk, or roll if necessary, across the finish line with you.  For the record, he finished the race in four hours and a few minutes.