Was in the Spring

April 15. April 16. April 19. April 19. April 20.

Question: What is the significance of those dates?

Boston Marathon Bombing. Virginia Tech Shooting. Waco bombing. Oklahoma City bombing. Columbine Shooting.

Question: What is it about violence in America in the middle of April?

I’ve often wondered about the answer to that question…especially as these incidents begin to stack up. For us personally, April 19 is a special day…it is our wedding anniversary. But, to the nation at large, April 19 is the shared anniversary of two tragedies. So is the day after it and one three days before.

And now sadly another.

I was pondering this conversation after Holly sent me an email following the Boston bombing adding it to this tragic list, noting the proximity on the calendar to the others. I was musing about this in conversation with a friend earlier today. “What is it about mid-April,” I asked.

My friend’s comment was fairly succinct. Probably nothing. Maybe it is something about the proximity to the end of the school year? Or maybe folks become agitated as the weather warms. In any case, I must agree with him. It’s probably a very sad coincidence. I’ve never seen a ‘connect the dots’ between any of these tragedies.

We still don’t know who perpetrated the Boston bombings (though news reports this afternoon suggested that, perhaps, law enforcement was getting close to a break in the case). In any case, it would be shocking if there is any link to a previous mass murder.

Meanwhile, we are learning more news about the victims themselves. We’re also learning more about acts of heroism.

And across the nation, there are many folks showing solidarity with the citizens of Boston. During the 8th inning of every home Red Sox game at Fenway Park, the fans enjoy singing the Neil Diamond classic, “Sweet Caroline.” We sang right along with them during our visit to Fenway in 2007.

Last night in the Bronx, the New York Yankees played “Sweet Caroline” over the PA for their fans and asked them to sing along as a symbolic showing of support for the people of Boston. Other teams in other ballparks did the same.

Maybe that’s an example of one thing we can learn through all of this. When one American is hurt, we all hurt. When one American is attacked, we all feel attacked.

Still, in a country that has been characterized by petty bickering between the right and left over the past few years, maybe we can take an example from last night. If one bitter rival can support the other during a time of tragedy, can’t we all try harder to get along from day to day?

JG

Editor’s Note - Neil Diamond led the Fenway Park crowd during Saturday’s 8th inning singing of “Sweet Caroline.” What a fantastic gesture (and what a wonderful moment).

Originally posted 4/17/2013