It didn’t strike me until late Friday afternoon how emotionally drained I was from last week.

No matter how many times our country and our world goes through a terrible act — terrorism or natural disaster — it always takes time for the pain to set in. And at each of those events, the days always begin with the same sentence: The day began just like any other.

Monday, April 15, 2013, is no exception. The weather was perfect in Boston for Patriot’s Day and the historic Boston Marathon. I checked Facebook in the morning and saw that I knew two people running. And now, as a marathoner myself, I did my best to keep up with the race.

Then all of a sudden, the skies darkened and evil had a face. Two of them.

We all know the story. Moments after the blast, first responders, viewers, and fellow runners tended to the wounded. It was, in a word, a war zone. Any other adjective does not do the aftermath justice.

Three dead. Nearly 200 wounded. A nation shaken … again.

Living in New York City, security was tightened. Events in Boston were postponed or cancelled.

We again lost our innocence. And then on Wednesday, there was the massive explosion in Texas. And this on a week where we already had the 20-year anniversary of the Waco Compound event, the 18-year anniversary of the Oklahoma City Bombing, the anniversary of Columbine, and the anniversary of the BP Oil Spill. So, perhaps we haven’t had our innocence anymore.

Most of the deaths in Texas? First responders.

For me, it seemed that nothing would be getting better. And then came Friday. We had suspects. One was dead. One was on the run. And the city of Boston was locked down. I hated watching it. And then came 6 p.m. and the lock down was lifted without an arrest. I came home and cried.

Finally, news came they had someone. And when it was confirmed by the Boston Police, I breathed a sigh of relief I didn’t know I needed.

CAPTURED!!! The hunt is over. The search is done. The terror is over. And justice has won. Suspect in custody.

— Boston Police Dept. (@Boston_Police) April 20, 2013

Someday soon I will tie my sneakers and go for a run in honor of the victims. I came home early Saturday morning and cried again.

We live in a world full of hate. But we live in a world full of love. And if I have seen anything this week, it has been a true passion for peace, for justice and a selfless sacrifice for our fellow humans. And I believe that is what Boston, Texas, and America can continue to be.