As I sipped my coffee and soaked in the peaceful, brisk, and sunny Sunday morning, I heard a clamor a few blocks away. Curious to see what the hullabaloo was all about, I wandered up the street and soon found myself on Sunset.
The L.A. marathon was underway. I had totally forgotten it was happening and totally forgotten my camera, so my five senses would have to suffice as I took in the sights and sounds of the event. I could only stay for a few minutes, but in that brief time, I felt whole again as I watched the river of runners rushing down the boulevard, while crowds gathered on the sidewalks waving flags, snapping photos, and screaming enthusiastically.
For most, the marathon is not about the competition. It's about the joy of running. It's about the triumph of setting your mind to something and just doing.
And as I sipped my coffee and took it all in, a woman with a long lens 35mm camera began to wave her arms and jump up and down pointing to someone in that sea of people that I could not yet see. "There he is! There he is!" she shouted. In another moment a lanky man came running up and hugged her as the rest of his family and friends gathered round in support.
I felt tears welling in my eyes for these strangers, thankful to be a witness to such a moment. Humanity. Kindness. Love. I could feel it all, everywhere around me. It was so healing to be reminded that in the turbulent times in which we live, where I am sickened and horrified every day by the cruelty people inflict upon one another, that there is there is still so much good in the world. It doesn't undo the bad, but it's just so important to remember that it's there.