Martin Richard 8, loved life, his family and his school friends. Everyone he met also loved Martin. “He tried to make everyone happy but now he can’t because he passed away.” said one visitor who came to pay respects outside of Richard family’s home. Today, as we remember the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings, let us think about Martin Richard’s message of peace, and honor the values this young boy lived to promote. Let us also contemplate the goodness he stood for, and how a senseless act of evil cut short his earthly life but cannot stop the message of peace he gave us. Martin was one of 3 people killed in the Boston bombings but he is not the only victim in his family. Today, as you go about your life please pray for those young Martin leaves behind. His 6 year old sister, Jane who lost a leg, his mother Denise who has suffered serious brain injury, and Martin’s father Bill Richard who released a statement: ” My dear son Martin has died from injuries sustained in the attack in Boston. My wife and daughter are both recovering from serious injuries. We thank our family and friends, those we know and those we never met, for their thoughts and prayers. I ask that you continue to pray for my family as we remember Martin.” Indeed as we go about our daily lives today let us remember Bill Richard, his wife Denise, his daughter Jane 6, as well as their surviving son Henry 12, and all those affected by Monday’s deadly attack. Let us also never forget 8 year – old Martin Richard who even in death is teaching us a very valuable lesson. In his own words: “No more hurting people. Peace.”
