The events of the Boston Marathon earlier this week are weighing on all of our hearts. This morning we woke up to the news of Boston in a lock-down.  The manhunt is on for the crazy young murderer, his brother and accomplice already dead. 

We are left to wonder what  ideological cloak these young men were hiding behind. How could they and others have perpetrated these evil acts? We have to believe their vision of the world is distorted, a form of madness we cannot comprehend.  But this “reality distortion” has collided with our own, and we have the victims to prove it.  So how do we cope with such devastation?

I grew up in Italy when the Red Brigades were active.  I remember meeting men whose name was on their target lists.  Heck, my own dad was warned to be more careful and to avoid routine walks in the same place and at the same hour.  My mom crossed the city with my young aunt and was stopped at a road-block.  We are talking Rome, Italy, not Beirut.  I was thirteen when I attended the funeral of Aldo Moro.  I have not forgotten the trials of those terrorists.  I remember one of those convicts talking about killing, just as you and I would talk about taking a walk.  His world vision was madness, and his heart was stone.

But ours is not.  And courage is not the lack of fear, but the ability to move in spite of fear.  I am so sad to see terrorism in America. We lost our innocence on September 11–we won’t get it back, and Boston is a sad reminder of that.  But we have not lost our freedom.  Together, the good of humanity is stronger than any murderers will ever be. We shall not forget, and we will struggle to forgive. But we will love and that will conquer all. 

So today, go out and hug someone.  Take heart in knowing that the flow of prayers and love is stronger than hate.  No, we cannot understand nor will ever justify what has happened.  But we can take comfort in knowing that we prevail every time we reaffirm love and grace over hate.  And that is a power we can yield with pride and serenity.  As we shed tears over our losses, let us find comfort in each other.  We are stronger, together.

I dedicate my thoughts and prayers to all the people of Boston. Our heart is with you.

Life is Amazing! Live Well.

Anna Grassini

A Wellesley Woman who, once upon a time, took part in The Scream Tunnel…oh such sweet memories.