Huge Sigh of Relief

They have been caught.
How much can be said about the happiness, freedom, and togetherness everyone feels that the two men who scared us all are now CAUGHT and DECEASED.

Part of me wonders if they really did this alone. Could there be a larger conspiracy at work. The level of sophistication used to not only pull off the origninal attack, but then evade capture for as long as they did makes me believe that they learned something from some one.

It is also clear that part of why they got away for so long was that they were not different from the rest of us. They blended in. Let me say this again, for people who did not like American's THEY BLENDED IN very well. We are hearing from the people who knew them. Everyone is surprised. And I guess if someone I went to high school or college with was suspected of doing something this awful, I would be surprised too.

I feel bad for their parents. I feel bad for their families. Very few raise their children in a way that encourages this much hatred for people. To put a bomb down right behind a child, when you know what is in the bag, and walk away! The oldest one (I refuse to use their names) was recently married and had a young child. What if someone did this to their families?

There is an instability that cannot be explained easily. It is not just radicalism, or religion, or any other isms people wish to apply to a situation like this.

It is what it is!

There are several things that I do believe are important. First, is to try to understand why someone would feel compelled to commit such an heinous act. Second, to applaud the brave men and women of all of the branches of law enforcement who tirelessly worked until this came to a resolution. Third, is to applaud the efforts of the news media who kept us all abreast of what was going on. Fourth, the people.

What do you say about a group of people trapped in their homes for hours afraid of what might happen? What do you say about a group of people who were resilient and for 4 days continued with their lives?
What do you say about a 60 year old man who had the foresight to call 911 instead of yell out at the man in his beautiful boat?

The reason why these things don't work is that the people who are supposed to crumble as a result of them, DON'T. They do not succumb to the fear. They do not hide.

Every time this is done, it makes us more resilient. We feel more secure. We feel brave.

I know there are times when people of color have issues with the local police. Right now, we should take our hats off to them. Thank the next one you come into contact with an officer, thank them for their work. I know they are not all good.

But when I call 911 I want them to come as fast as they can & so do you!