Peace

What a week. Was there any emotion not touched since Monday? As I watched the horror of the Boston Marathon, my mind flashed back to my glorious ride into LA on the last day of the AIDS LifeCycle last year. I wanted my best friend at the finish line, so I paid for a first class seat on Delta to bring Carol to LA to celebrate with me. It never entered my mind that someone would even think about turning such a wonderful triumph into a tragedy. Riding into the final mile, people lined the streets along the route. They cheered for us, called us heroes, gave us Tootsie Rolls and made it so special. Carol had stationed herself behind the "cheerleaders" at the finish line. Among the masses, I could not see her but I knew she was there. What an awesome day.

My heart went out to the athletes in Boston, many who found their friends and loved ones dead or severely injured at the finish line by the choice of two young people. I was stunned and found myself just staring at the awful images - not able to say a word. What was there to say? I turned to Facebook - something we didn't have back in 2001 when the World Trade Center tragedy occurred. I have friends - fellow AIDS fighters, staff at Boston University and Tufts and others - in Boston. I felt relief as they checked in via FB or email to let us know they were okay.

I kept hearing my mother's words in my teenage ears - "99% of the people in the world are good - but sometimes we focus too much on the 1% who are not." I received a few phone calls from friends and colleagues asking if I still planned to ride in the AIDS LifeCycle this year. It had never entered my mind not to ride - and I was surprised at how firm I was in my response - "Hell, yes, I'm riding - why wouldn't I?"

In the past week, we have seen the worst of humanity and the best of humanity. As awful as the bombings were, the response of the people made it clear - 99% is stronger than 1%. Thanks, Mom, for teaching me that.

I always find solace in music and in the words of children and today is no exception. As 8-year old victim Martin Richard wrote on a school sign last year: "No more hurting people" and drew on his blue poster, "Peace" - may our 99% honor him by following his lead.

May Peace be with each of you. It may have been an ugly week, but it's still a beautiful world. Ride on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqklKLxrvAo&feature=youtu.be