A little over a month ago, I was glued to the T.V., stuck in South Dakota and waiting for news about my little sister. She was running in the Boston Marathon, and typically finished in 4 hours, ten minutes. She'd kept that time almost to the second for the past two years.
The time on the clock when the first bomb went off was 4:09:43, and the second bomb went off at 4:09:57.
I'm happy to say that she had finished the race early and was a block away on Newbury Street when the attacks happened, but today, watching the devastation in Oklahoma, I'm brought back to that day and cannot help but feel for everyone both there and around the country who are scared and feeling helpless as they wait to hear about the fate of loved ones. It is at the same time the most terrifying and empty feeling in the world, as you watch and wait, and can do nothing.
I ask everyone to keep the people affected by the tornadoes, not only those who were in their path but all of those who are still waiting to hear about those that they are missing, in their thoughts, prayers, and duas tonight. It is going to be a very long and scary few days for thousands upon thousands of people, and though there is little that we can do to give them answers, the least we can do is offer them what support we can.
As always when these things happen, please be very careful in donating to charities that are set up to help the victims and their families at this time. Make sure you do your research first, because sad to say there are unscrupulous people who will use this to personally profit rather than give the donations where they are needed.
If you are looking for a loved one in Oklahoma tonight, please check Safe And Well.Org for their registrants list, and try to keep the phone lines clear for first responders and emergency personnel.
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