Herself wonders whether testifying empowers the survivors; perhaps to recount what has happened helps them to move forward, knowing that they have passed through the flames and have arisen like the phoenix. Or perhaps they want to stare down the defendant, to tell him and to show him that they are strong, that they are unbowed. That they have won, and he has lost. Perhaps, there are pieces of all these things, and more.
Herself has not read all of the news reports. One yesterday caught her eye, though, and although she did not read the whole story, the headline was more than enough. It was a summary of the testimony of a father who had to leave his dying child in order to try to save his critically injured child. What clearly must have been an unspeakably terrible moment -- there, spoken aloud. We can only begin to imagine how it must be for this father; it is a nightmare from which he can never truly awaken.
What world is this, that one individual can inflict such cruelty on others? How can this be?
We will never understand.
This photo was found here: http://luvinthebubble.com/boston-strong/
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