A Silver Lining

A sign of hope in an unfortunate situation: That is the definition of a silver lining. That is what I have found here.

While all that has occurred in Boston since that first blast at the marathon is far greater than “an unfortunate situation”, the signs of hope which have been present from that moment on are also of great magnitude. We have seen footage of the many individuals who ran to the aid of others. We have heard reports of the comforts and kindnesses offered by strangers. We have felt the outpouring of concern from both neighbors and those physically distant. I am a small town girl transplanted to an urban setting. I am so grateful to have been shown these wonderful aspects of my community; to have experienced the depths of support and caring which exist here. I am in awe of the power of the communal goodness which erupted in every corner of the city.

While amidst all this warmth and comfort and goodness, while “sheltering in place” with my family, trying to focus on the positive stories about the helpers with my children, I am struck by a different kind of hope. The hope of the power of the individual.

One man, barely old enough to no longer be a boy, has managed to cause an entire region to shut down; hundreds of thousands of people to stay indoors, and enormous numbers of trained personnel to be mobilized. This nineteen year old has gotten the attention of the Governor, of the President of the United States, and of the world. This man/boy, this one individual, has changed everything. But why assume this power exists only to be used for evil?

I don’t see myself as an agent of change. I don’t feel like someone who could make a big difference in this world, but why should I assume that my actions can not have a similar (yet more positive) impact? Why don’t I realize that everyday I have the power to make a difference? Even small actions on my part, the initial scope of which may be narrow, could become amplified by amazing ripple effects like those we have seen as our community reached out to one another this week. I must not underestimate the influence I, and every other individual, can have.

We are still wrapping ourselves in the communal response to the terrible events of this past week. We are finding comfort in the strength of our collective humanity. We are flooding the streets in celebration of the actions of the individuals whose heroism was to them just a matter of course. We are keeping the victims and their families in our prayers. As I begin to return to the new normal of my everyday life I hope that this silver lining, this realization of the power that exists in each of us, does not fade.