Forgiveness

Today the country moves on from the horrific events at the Boston Marathon. When I watched the events unfold earlier this week, I just had to go to bed. It was too much to think about. We can watch the uncle of two young men expressing his own sadness and anger about the actions of his own nephews. So many people, including their family members, seem to believe that the older brother of the two young men influenced the younger brother to these unspeakable actions. In our family, I am the youngest. If it were not for my older siblings, it is very unlikely that I would have had the happy life I have had as an adult. My sisters and my brothers were the reason I got a college education. Without them, it just would not have happened. In recent months, as I have grieved and tried to get through the loss of my love, it's my family that has surrounded me with love. I have always had my siblings to watch and understand what good things were possible in my life.
To think that one of the Boston bombers was only 19 years old is too much to believe. His life was only beginning. Yesterday, I was really hoping that the younger brother would not be killed. I know many people believe in killing killers, and I can't say that I have been a victim of a violent crime or understand how that would make me feel, but having that young man alive means there is some hope that whatever led him to these terrible actions may be changed. Yesterday, we could hear the young man's uncle demanding his nephew give himself up and seek forgiveness from all his victims. Will this young man ever receive forgiveness? I've had a difficult time dealing with my own love being taken from me and this was a natural death. I can't even imagine trying to forgive someone like this young man after everything he has done.  I can feel how powerful and destructive anger is and just how powerful and healing the love and influence of a family can be.