Last night I was very fortunate to be part of and event called "Walk/Run for Boston." A local running group, Gilbert's Gazelles, organized this event to gather runners in Austin (along with their friends and families) to gather for a vigil to honor those 180 men and women from Austin who ran in the Boston Marathon but mostly to remember everyone who was affected by the bombing, especially the three who sadly lost their lives to the merciless doings of two young men. Hundreds of people of all shapes, sizes, and running abilities gathered in the Stephen F. Austin High School parking lot for a moment of silence, to listen to a few word from Gilbert, observe 26.2 seconds of silence (26.2 = number of miles in a marathon) and then to hear "Amazing Grace" performed on the bagpipe. Afterwards - all of us joined in the unison prayer of running and enjoying each other's company, all while carrying various forms of light with us. Sometimes it's these "unintentional" and "non-traditional" prayers that are the best to offer. Just being "present" often speaks louder than words can ever express.
A few members from the running team I'm on, Team FX, came together for this event as well. Our primary goal is to spread awareness about child abuse and to "Create a world without child abuse...one step at a time," but our goal last night was to support a greater community. It is so humbling to be part of a group of people who genuinely care for this world and are willing to give up, even small amounts of time, to share light with others. One of our own team members ran the Boston Marathon, safely coming home to us, so that made the evening that much more special.
I have to post this because this is so much bigger than a new set of teeth. Yes, the "mouth project" will go on, but it's important to check ourselves now and again and take the time to acknowledge that there are things and people that need us more than we need ourselves.
