There is a quote that many people have posted on Facebook today “When I was and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping. ‘To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.” Mister Rogers

That statement has never been more true than today. Look for the helpers, they were there at the first sign of trouble. My sister used to volunteer for the Red Cross, a few times for the Boston Marathon, can you imaging how proud I am of her?

The response to the incident was amazing, there is always a mobile hospital at the finish, everything was mobilized within minutes, ambulance, fire, police.

I received a call from SLD while I was on a conference call, when I texted back that I wasn’t available, was everything ok? She replied that she wanted to check if my family and friends in Boston were ok, why? Then she told me, what? Two bombs went off at the finish for the Boston Marathon. Immediately texted my brother in law, AS, I knew that my sister, GES, had just landed safely in London, happy to say. AS and EJ were on the train going home from a Red Sox game.

RG had been announcing the race, she posted pictures earlier in the morning, she was ok, so said her husband on her Facebook page. She’s been posting today, keeping us posted on how she was doing.

I called JCT, she was working 1/2 a mile away, heard something, but was ok. My friend, CWB, was sitting at Logan airport hoping to get on her flight to go home, it was delayed a bit, but she made it home to Philly finally.

I checked with other friends, they were all present and accounted for and safe, thank goodness. S many people were checking with me that my friends and family in Boston were safe, thank you.

Whoever did this, knew what they were doing. The bombs went off about the four hour mark and at the finish, where there were families and friends waiting, kids, seriously? Hasn’t there been enough violence, can’t people make their points without anyone getting hurt? Anyone else dying?

What terrorists fail to understand is that no matter what they seem to throw at us, The United States of America comes together and comes out stronger than before. We come together as a nation that cannot be torn apart or asunder. That makes me proud.

President Obama said, “Today, we are not republicans, we are not democrats, we are Americans.”

There was a touching story, amid all the tragedy, George and Laura Bush became grandparents for the first time, no matter what your believe or think, we need hope and how much does that scream hope? I wish them luck, what a ride they are in for, there is nothing like it!

Also during all the emails and texts and posts, I got the best text, it was a video, EJ rode her two wheeler all by her self! I called and spoke with her “Hi EJ” “Hi Auntie J! I rode my bike today! No falling no all by myself!” “I’m so proud of you EJ, can’t wait to see you on your bike! I love you!” “I love you too, bye!”

While I am saddened by what happened today as I am by events like this, I am encouraged that we will emerge a stronger nation, that we have to have hope and when I see people helping each other, it restores my faith in humanity, which some days feels like its being tested, oh so many times.

Be good to each other (not just a line from Bill and Ted), it’s important and one thing we are good not and need.