This week has been a blur…with all that occurred at the marathon.
My family and I were there as spectators this year, as we have done most years. We currently live in Hopkinton (which hosts the starting line for the marathon) and Bill is involved with town committees and for the past two years has helped organize official marathon events in town. Previously we lived in Brookline, which is next to Boston. Bill grew up in Brookline and so did his mother. Also, Bill ran the Boston marathon years ago when Brook was little (we watched him go by from our front lawn in Brookline, which was right on the marathon route)…our history with this race runs deep.
Last Monday, we headed off to see the race from Ashland (next to our current home town of Hopkinton). For many years we’ve been going to the same spot to see the runners go by, and we always meet up with Bill’s sister and her family there. Going to the marathon and bringing our kiddies is something that we all look forward to every year.
We go there to cheer on the mobility impaired racers…
…to watch the elite fly by…
…to see the crowds, and the look of determination on their faces. It’s all very exciting, and very inspiring. Every year this incredible scene moves me to tears.
But this year it was all too horribly different. When the deadly bombings occurred, and all that followed, it scared me to the core. And I am at a loss for words to describe the grief that I feel for the people who were killed or injured. Yet at the same time, I can sense hope through watching how others (marathon volunteers, police, spectators, doctors) immediately went to the rescue, putting their own lives in danger while focusing solely on helping the injured. Humanity is good and kind and loving…for sure.
Yesterday, Bill and I went back into Boston. Originally, we wanted to go there to attend the interfaith service that was happening in the South End, but I got cold feet. As we were driving towards the city I started worrying about the fact that there might be others out there crazy enough to want to hurt more people (I was afraid that someone might attempt to bomb or shoot at the service goers). The terrible things that happened at the marathon bombing were still too fresh in my mind.
However, we still headed into the city in the direction of the memorial on Boylston Street…wanting to pay our respects and sort of hoping to find some kind of peace. Unfortunately, the parking was tight so we didn’t make it all the way to the memorial sight…but what we saw all along the way was very reassuring. There were a lot of people out, walking around and going to restaurants, and shopping even…it all felt very normal. Except for the extra police presence and some blocked off streets, everything seemed okay…and I think I needed to see this everydayness to feel calmer again.
Here’s a look from yesterday. A beautiful day on a beautiful street…
…with trees bursting with blooms.
The streets felt safe again…
…and the sky said the same.
Brook is back at school today (she was off last week for Spring break), and Bill will be at work. I have some work myself, and then some errands to run…thankfully, things are moving back to normal for us. Yet I know that for those who were hit hardest it will continue to be a tough struggle. And all that I can think of to help is to reach out more to everyone around me, in our community and all around (let what moves us motivate us to make a difference). Together, we can make the world a better place. As Ghandi said “You must be the change you wish to see in the world”. I think this applies whether you’re in West, Texas, or facing the floods in the Midwest or the earthquake in China or any other disaster. We’re all in it together.
11 Comments, Comment or Ping
Oh Becky, it’s hard to believe that the marathon was only one week ago. It seems much longer. I was glued to the television last week as they searched for the perpetrators. I am glad you were able to go back eventually, but I understand your apprehension about attending the interfaith service and wondering if something else could happen. (Frankly I was surprised that President and Mrs. Obama went because at that time the bombers had not been apprehended.) I have never been to Boston, but it seems like such a nice city. And it was wonderful how everyone pulled together in this tragic time.
Take care,
xo
jeanne
April 22nd, 2013
Beautiful post….. so glad you are safe. It IS very scary. I like the Ghandi quote. Another quote I like is “Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.” by John Wesley. We need to be sure everyone we come upon feels loved….
April 22nd, 2013
Linda, Thanks for sharing the wonderful quote. And I whole heartedly agree…spreading love to everyone is important.
April 23rd, 2013
Hi Becky, I was wondering about you and your family and figured you were pretty close to it all in some way or another. I’m glad you were able to get out and see the lovely area in it’s normal state again. Lovely photos here today. Take care my friend.
April 22nd, 2013
What a beautiful post Becky!!! XO
April 23rd, 2013
I was thinking of you all last week, knowing how close you are to city of Boston…there is nothing more reassuring in tragedies like that than the evidence of the resilience of the human spirit. A deep down knowing that we can face terror, challenge it and move beyond it is where our strengths lie. And remembering a world without fear is our “Ace in the pocket” – we know it well enough we aren’t willing to let go of it, and that’s a thing that can help move fear to the backseat…
This was a beautiful and thought-full post Becky, and I loved your street photo at the end – we will have ordinary days again…
April 23rd, 2013
I’d been thinking about you and your loved ones dear Becky being so close to such horrifying incidents. It’s been very difficult for so many to grasp and all I can do is continue to pray for everyone affected. Your photos are wonderful glimpses of the happy beginnings of the marathon. I would have felt much like you did about returning to the city. In the end, it worked things out for you and also gave me some perspective. Yes, we are all in it together. Love and hugs.
April 23rd, 2013
I am so sad n’ sorry for everyone who was there! It is hard to imagine…
I am happy you and yours are okay! Boston has come together in this tragedy! The human spirit is moving and profound! Boston has shown the world, how to be a community, this past week~
Touching post….
xo
April 23rd, 2013
As other’s have already commented, a very beautiful post Becky. I did not realized you had such close connections to the marathon, I can only imagine the emotions you must (and still do) feel.
It is at times like these that it is most important to remember the profound moments of human kindness and greatness, and good that we have felt in our lives, so that we are not overwhelmed but such acts of hatred.
April 25th, 2013
What a horrible tragedy. I can’t understand violence and hatred. I never will.
April 26th, 2013
Becky dear I am so very thankful that you and your family were kept safe. This tragedy is beyond my comprehension of how humans can harm other humans. May our world be a safer and more loving place…
April 26th, 2013
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