Look for the Helpers

They gave Linda Green a birthday party and what a party it was! But it had to be a surprise party so husband Willie took her to Macon for some shopping while the community of Wrightsville prepared the house and grounds for what was probably the social event of the year. Friends came from as far away as Atlanta and Columbus to celebrate with the family and pay their respects to a woman who has become a leader in this small southern town. Known by all as “Miss Linda” she works in a nursing home, helping the elderly with their problems while doing things in the community for anyone who needs a hand. “Miss Linda” is constantly involved in cooking for sit-ins, taking close to those in need and keeping an eye on neighbors who may need help getting to the store or with healthcare.

As I sat down to write about this wonderful woman, two bombs went off in Boston and my train of thought took a different turn, going from celebration to horror at the sight of people running, not in the Boston Marathon but from the noise or to help someone in need. And then I thought, we can all be Linda Greens in a way. Our wonderful country is loaded with people who will run to the aide of others when they feel the need. And so, as it does so many times when we have been faced with adversity, our media runs with the story and begin to focus as much on what the good people do as what the bad people have done.

The loss of an eight year old child is met with the heroics of a first responder saving another’s life. This is probably one of the things that make us different from those who hate. We find solace in the good our fellow citizens do and that makes us all feel better about whom we are and who we can become. Then we hear about Phillies’ outfielder, Ben Revere, who, having heard about the Boston tragedy, taped a message on his ball glove saying, “Pray for Boston”.

What a wonderful gesture from outfielder Revere that says so much about our country. We came together after 9/11 and we will come together again in the next few days as word of who was responsible and the positive deeds of those who heard the cries of help are told. As I write this I am comforted by the knowledge that we will find those responsible, but just as comforted in the knowledge that we will still be Americans, going to work, raising our families, attending churches and creating an environment where we all can prosper and grow as humans.

In a way, life is sort of like that Boston Marathon. We strive to run the good race, facing our personal demons, and confronting the evil brought to bear on ourselves and others while helping each other cross the finish line of life in a way in which we can all take pride. Some of us finish sooner than others and evil may have a temporary victory over good, but thanks to people like Linda Green and Ben Revere, evil never wins in the long run. May God bless the people of Boston and those who lost family members in this tragedy.