Boston Marathon Explosions Devastate the Nation

Piazza's home run was the biggest in Shea Stadium history

It's been about three hours since news broke about the explosions in downtown Boston that caused 86 injuries and 2 deaths (at press time) to both spectators and participants in the race. While the Boston police and the White House search for evidence and suspects, we're left with nothing but a mouthful of questions. Why would someone do this? Who would be inhumane enough to do this? The list goes on. The fact of the matter is, what was once our nation's crutch after a serious act of violence or manslaughter is now the site of all the violence. Yet as we have seen before, sports have been the healing factor for numerous tragic events.
Who could forget watching the New York Mets take on the Atlanta Braves ten days after the 9/11 attacks? A game that many thought was being played too soon turned into a healing moment for the entire nation. With the past week being filled with nothing but numbness, uncertainty, and anger, how could anyone think about sports?

Patches worn for the Sandy Hook shooting

It was Mike Piazza that became the American Hero with one swing of the bat in the bottom of the eighth to take the lead 3-2. I'll never forget it. I was in second grade, only seven years old and at the time the only thing I cared about was why the sports world was put on hold for ten days. I didn't understand what 9/11 meant or even what had happened. At seven years old, I wasn't able to comprehend how monumental both the attacks and Piazza's home run were. Yet I remember seeing that ball sail over Shea Stadium's center field wall, followed by the stadium's chanting of "USA! USA! USA!" For that moment, the nation was healed. For that glorious 15 seconds, the world seemed to be back to normal. Mike Piazza provided joy that every American, Mets fan or not, was in desperate need of.

Yet 9/11 isn't the only tragedy that sports have attempted to heal. Most recently there has been the shootings in Aurora, Colorado and in Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. We've seen athletes from all sports meet with the families, speak publicly, and don special patches on their uniforms to remember those that were affected or killed. But here's the thing: I hate those patches. I hate that events like said tragedies occur which prompts the remembrance of victims. The world won't ever be perfect, but I would love to see a day when these events no longer happen and we no longer have to see a patch with a ribbon on a jersey. What a wonderful world it would be if such violent acts didn't happen.

That brings us to today. Where do we go from here? Sports have always been a major part of the world and for something like this to happen at a sporting event that provides pride and triumph is deeply saddening. How do we respond when our source of healing is the source of the hurt? Our hearts and prayers go out to those in Boston and those around the nation that are affected by this horrific occurrence. For now, the only thing we can do is stay strong, trust in God, and love each other. Don't take anything for granted, whether it's your family, your school, or the sport you play. Today shows that anything can happen at any given time. Take advantage of the time you have here on earth, tell people you love them, and give your all 100% of the time.  Life isn't a guarantee, it's a privilege.

For those that believe sports are nothing but a game, I strongly disagree. The world has benefited from the influence of sports plenty of times before, and there is not a doubt in my mind that the nation will look to sports for a source of encouragement once again. Don't say that it's just a game when sports can heal a nation, if only for a moment. Prayers go out to Boston as well as to those reading this post. May God bless you all. Stay strong.