It has been a strange, sad week, filled with horrific happenings, one by accident and one on purpose. I never want to see another news report in my life.
The thing I would like to focus on is the humanity I saw this week, first we all came together for Boston, then we stayed together for West, a small Texas town.
Seeing the state of Texas come together to make sure one of its own is taken care of has been a balm on my soul. Boston’s loss is great, West’s loss is horrific, it is a small town in Texas with a population of roughly 2800 people, when something like an explosion happens and there is loss of life, the exact number unknown, the whole town feels it. Everyone knows everyone in a small town, I know, I come from one, if something like this had happened in Owasso I cannot begin to imagine the devastation.
I know one thing for certain, West will rebuild, they will feel the outpouring of love that the country will pour upon them, and they will be strong. They have to be, they have to live up to the Texas legend, everything is bigger and better in Texas and that includes hearts.
This town has heart, you ask me how I know, I know because my friend Alanna lives there, and she has one of the biggest hearts I know of in a person. She is strong, funny, smart and beautiful, inside and out, her husband is the Superintendent of the schools there, she will be by his side helping keep spirits up. She has a rare talent for that, I know without a doubt she will be huge help to the community she and her family have become a part of.
There are times I am incredibly proud to be an Oklahoman (ok, all the time) however, there are times I am so proud I chose a state like Texas to relocate to. If I can’t live in Oklahoma, I am happy to be in Texas, the people have heart, like Oklahomans. They have strength, like Oklahomans, they have a way of bouncing back after tragedy, like Oklahomans.
As I sit and ponder the 18th anniversary of the bombing in Oklahoma City, the bombing in Boston and the explosion in West, I am reminded that we are all Americans. That we all band together when something happens that we don’t understand, when it hurts one of us, it hurts all of us.
We mourn together, we heal together and we rebuild together. Southern, South Western, Northern, Mid West, we all are simply Americans.
Heavy but Hopeful Heart
I sit here gathering my thoughts on the events of Monday, April 15, 2013, not because it was Tax day but because of what happened in Boston, Massachusetts. I feel the need to spell the state not abbreviate, because what happened there deserves the full weight of the name. To bomb an event such as the Boston Marathon, where not only are Americans participating, but people from all over the world come and join in the festivities. They run side by side, friendly competition, from what I have seen and read, the runners encourage one another when they are having difficulty finishing. It is an incredible event that is given world-wide attention, which could explain why someone felt the need to plant explosive devices and set them off. To get attention, media attention, they see how these murderers and rapists and really horrendous criminals are getting the attention. So, what do they do, choose a highly publicized event and make their mark.
My fervent hope is that the media outlets pay attention, that they do not give these people, or person, the attention they crave. I hope they focus on the people who were the victims, focus on how people rushed to help the wounded, how Americans and the world sent messages of hope and prayer to the city of Boston.
If we do not give attention to the monsters hopefully that will keep them at bay, I do hope that they find whoever did this and prosecute to the full extent of the law.
For now, my thoughts and prayers are with the people of Boston, with the participants of the Boston Marathon no matter where they were from and with the families of the victims. I remain steadfast in my love of my country, the United States of America, we have our issues, but we are working on them. Side by side, one issue at a time, we face things head on and resolve any conflict.
I love this land, I love this country and I pray for our leaders, no matter the political party, on a daily basis. We should all be doing that, think of what we could do if we all lifted our leaders up in prayer and asked God to bestow wisdom upon them. What an awesome thought.
Humanity
I am self medicating this morning, with strong doses of coffee and music from my era, Boston, Journey, Andy Gibb and of course The Bay City Rollers. Some mornings these things are needed more than others, this is one of those. Last night was good, I stopped by my friend Wanda’s after work and that is always a good time. I told her my Scott Baio story; I thought she was going to pass out from laughing so hard. It’s a good story and I tell it well, if you are a really good friend and offer me a cookie I might tell you the story.
This morning is really good coffee, the Irishman made it, and yes Jess, I am too lazy to make my own darn coffee. He makes it better than I do, I don’t even know how he does it, he will not reveal his secret to me. I will ferret it out, never fear, Angie is on the job.
Today is sweater dress and boot day; if you are following me on Twitter or Instagram you can see the boots. Oh I posted on Facebook as well, I do love my boots. Seriously, is there anything better than a really good sweater dress and boots? I love boot season! I ordered two new sweater dresses I hope they get here soon. Sweater dress season only lasts a minute here in Texas; I plan on taking full advantage. Soon I will be too old for sweater dresses; no one wants to see an 80 year old woman in a sweater dress. Ugh. I know I don’t want to see myself at that age dressed inappropriately.
Right now I am listening to America, Daisy Jane, I seriously love that song, it can do no wrong in my eyes, or ears I should say. You all should listen to it, it really is amazing, if you do listen please share your thoughts on the song with me.
I have decided to focus on the positive that I see in people, acts of kindness that restore my faith in mankind. It’s easier this time of year to find those acts of kindness because everyone wants to do something at Christmas, I do believe I will hold off on my search until January, after the warm fuzzy thoughts of Christmas time have passed. 2013 will be the year of humanity; I have to believe that, the year that we truly look at each other and see that we are all the same. No matter the color of our skin, the religion we practice, we all want the same things in life. A better life for our children than we had safety, love, compassion and understanding. I shall strive to be a better human in 2013 that is my New Years resolution; I rarely make them due to the fact that I cannot keep them. However I am confident I can keep this one. I am not quite sure how I will become a better human as I am a pretty darn good one right now. I shall keep you posted on my efforts.
Angie World 