1. I sure am happy and proud for the Boston Police Department- every eye on the nation-virtual or physical-was witness to your well -trained, quick-action, and self-sacrificing bravery. Seriously, you make me so proud to be an American.
2. The survivors and the families of the fallen- will need our love and our supportive prayers and thoughts.
3. The health providers treating the survivors, suspect, or who attempted to treat the suspect who died -will need our love and supportive thoughts and prayers.
I once worked in an acute care setting, in a very large city, where both victims and accused were being treated. It truly is unsettling. I was lucky enough to work with a completely professional team who were fully committed to treating patients. I probably wouldn't have known who to identify as victim versus accused if I didn't see the police waiting for an interview or have chart access for my job.
But this I do know.
When one has been accused of a heinous crime, and is in a hospital bed, battling for their life- they are simply reduced ....to the human condition. There is no real word for the feeling that surrounds you when you are in the company of this patient. Perhaps this is a different experience for other healthcare providers- Doctors, nurses, etc- but for me, it was life changing every time.
The accused, and let's face it, eventually found guilty- is in critical condition and is not communicating- there is a profound silence and ...absence surrounding the area. A vacuum absent of reason, hope, and love. And as you are with this patient, you feel an overwhelming sadness that causes you to want to weep for this spirit - the victims, the emptiness and the path of destruction and devastation that this empty spirit has caused. I am moved to pray- pray that God's love and light move into this vacuum and fill it with holiness, healing, peace and forgiveness. And immediately I feel my God's presence and am comforted.
This I know.
