A post that wasn't, but then was: Finding the positives in humanity

I wasn't going to write this post. I was going to sit quiet for a few days, allow the horror of Monday's Boston marathon events to settle down, and hope for a gradual return to normality. I figured you didn't need another blog post, Twitter update or Facebook comment about what happened. I'm sure we all feel the same. It is awful. There are no words.

And yet, here is this post. I guess I couldn't not. To not say something seemed, somehow, worse than saying anything.

So I'm going to say it. I am angry. Horrified. Upset. Sad. Grieved. Angry. Confused. Lost for reasons, for understanding. And did I mention angry?

I am really angry.

To me, and to many others, the Boston marathon sums up so much of what makes humanity great. It doesn't matter if you're a runner or not, or if you're American or not - it is an event of community spirit, of endurance, of effort, of support, of triumph, and of perseverance. It is a multinational running event known the world over. It is something great. To have that interrupted and shattered...we lose part of what makes humanity good, and we gain something that makes humanity terrible.

So I am sad, and shocked, and angry. I am sending thoughts to those affected. I am also sending thoughts to you, in case you're sad and shocked and angry too.

As for me, I can't help but contrast the news images (such awful news images) with my memories from the weekend. The running world is a good one. I have never been to a running event where the atmosphere isn't supportive, encouraging, and enjoyable. To have this happen so soon after my experience of that...it's all wrong.

I decided to write this post because I don't want to let it be wrong. If I stop with anger, sadness and grief - then the people who do ugly things have their way. I don't want to give up on humanity. I don't want to believe that is what our world has become.

I can't turn the anger, sadness and grief off, but I can tell you what is making me smile in spite of those things.

Here they are.

• A study I work with sending a phone app to 23-year-old participants, in order to help them find their local post box. The participants had been given reply paid envelopes in which to return study questionnaires, but were asking for guidance on where to post them. Really!

• Meeting my new Aussie Farmer's Direct local deliverer. He took the time to knock on the door when delivering our produce box last week, and was late enough to catch me after arriving home from work. I think he had been stopping at all houses on his route to introduce himself, adding hours to his delivery time.

• Thinking that our oven was broken, and then being relieved to find it wasn't.

• Leaving Perth last Saturday with a complete building nearby, and returning on Sunday afternoon to find it fully demolished. The demolition was planned, but we weren't expecting it to happen quite so quickly.

• Receiving an email from the Australian director of Blue Diamond Almond Breeze milk, in response to my post on carrageenan. I've updated the post in question to reflect that exchange. He initially cited the safety of food-grade carrageenan, but after I pointed out the contamination issues with degraded carrageenan in food-grade samples, he indicated that he would look into the issue further and discuss with his American colleagues. I can't say how happy that makes me, even if no change ultimately happens.

• My English family singing the praises of the British National Health service, after my grandfather had major heart surgery last week (he is recovering well). It's a nice change from the usual grumbles that we often direct towards government-funded services.

• Seeing pictures of the first baby born to one of my cousins on my mother's side. My oldest Canadian cousin and his wife have a new baby girl. She looks very cute.

• Watching the Top Gear trio drive through Africa. Much laughter.

• Hearing of developments in 'our' London area. They are building a new leisure centre with an indoor climbing wall.

• This post on the Boston events from No Meat Athlete.

• Hearing that those I know in the Boston area are okay.

• This comic:

http://www.explosm.net/

So that's my take on life this week. Among the horror, there are still things that make me have hope for humanity and for life. They don't always seem enough, but I'm going to cling to them.

If you are affected directly or indirectly by the Boston events, I am thinking of you and send you every well wish.

I am also thinking of all those affected by the (non-man made) earthquake in Iran.

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