I’m having a hard time finding any grand perspective on Monday’s bombings at the Boston Marathon. Maybe because the event was the most horrific intersection of things I love (big events, parades, races and  communities coming together)  with my worst fear: suddenly losing a family member. The more news I watch and read, the less sense i can make of this tragedy. So, instead, some Random Thoughts:

The Boston Marathon is a great event. I remember visiting my “Boston” cousins over Patriot’s Day and watching it as a kid. It’s an amazing sporting event and cultural happening. It will come back better than ever.

I hate that we now have “timeline’ for how these violent, tragic news stories evolve: the initial shocking news; the frantic reporting of few facts; the speculation of who did what; the initial details on the victims; and then the heartbreaking stories of the fatalities. All too familiar.

I am struck over and over again by the footage of the first responders and volunteers running towards the victims and then running, really running,  the injured to the ambulances. Though the initial moments were described as chaotic, but the video tells another story. It reveals a sense of focus and purpose.

That the victims are brothers, sister, girlfriends, moms, friends, dads , daughters and sons that were waiting to see a loved one finish the race just slays me. Those connections will  only deepen the sense of grief and pain for those involved.

The thousands of college kids in Boston will be forever connected to that city in an emotional way.

Ever since 9/11, I think about something like happening every time I go to the Rose Parade.

The investigation process is fascinating and daunting, but I get the feeling they will find who did this.  The hundreds of photos, the hours of videotape and details like the pressure cookers make me think they’ll get those responsible .

There are no words to describe the heartbreak of Martin Richard’s family. I get the sense we will hear similar stories for weeks,  the stories of multiple family members injured and lives changed forever.

That Krystal Cambell seemed like a really fun girl. As a former waitress at a steak house, I have a soft spot in my heart for anyone in that line of work. Poor mom and grandmother.

The new team over at CNN is doing an excellent job with low-key, informative coverage, especially Chris Cuomo. meanwhile, over at ABC, GMA’s Josh Elliot is unwatchable.

Amazing work by all the medical facilities in Boston. For some reason, listening to all the interviews with the docs, I’m reminded of all the emergency rooms in New York City that  never got to treat any patients.

I’ve been humming “Sweet Caroline” all morning.

Your thoughts?

Embracing my chaos, Lian