3rd Grader writes to her inspiration Derrick Coleman

Riley's letter to Derrick Coleman went viral, then mainstream. Riley along with her twin sister Erin and dad Jake appeared on Good Morning America this morning. Unfortunately for those of us in New Jersey, GMA was preempted due to the snowstorm. Happily the segment has now been posted online. 

Derrick Coleman Duracell Ad: Deaf NFL Player Inspires Hearing Impaired Twins Riley and Erin Kovalcik to Write Letter | Video - ABC News

I Choose to Focus on the Light

We wake this morning in the wake of yesterday’s events in Boston with a choice; do we focus on the dark of the situation or the light? We can focus on who the bombers were, what their motives were giving the perpetrators exactly what they want… attention. The press is certainly doing that in spades. Or do we concentrate on the victims and the heroes of the day? I choose the latter.

There are scores of heroes who stepped up yesterday in the aftermath of the explosions. The typical first responders; EMTs, Police, Fire & OEM immediately went to work clearing the area, treating the victims and, looking for evidence. Race volunteers bought bandages and wheelchairs to the victims and those treating them. The medical tents set up to aid runners at the conclusion of their races turned into triage facilities. Many of those participating in the race who couldn't reach the official finish line due to the attack, created a new finish line; the local hospitals where they donated blood for the victims. As a BU alum, I was proud to see one of our own athletic trainers, Larry Venis, who ran toward the blast area to help those in need.

And of course there are the victims; the 3 dead, 176 injured and their friends & families. Families have been forever torn apart and many lives changed. May we celebrate the bright lights now dimmed. Especially Martin Richard, the 8 year old little boy, whose last innocent acts were eating an ice cream while watching his dad run the marathon. May the injured heal quickly and find joy in their lives once again. My prayers are with you all.

Note: I wasn't at the Marathon yesterday; I don’t live in the area so I don’t have any potential information that could help the police. For what little help I can give are prayers and sharing & re-tweeting messages from police and OEM; I will. To that end here is some of the information the police put out:

• ·         From MEMA: The FBI has set-up 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), prompt #3, for anyone who has information re: Boston Marathon explosions.
• ·         To find family & friends involved in the Marathon call 617-635-4500
• ·         Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency is posting updates on its website: http://www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/mema/

I’ll leave the investigating to the authorities and hope they can do so quickly and without a lot of interference.