Below is my long reflection of this past weekend including the bombings at the marathon. The events that occurred helped to put a lot of things in perspective.
April 17, 2013
Patriot's Day - Marathon Monday
I had just gotten back home from a weekend away at a friend's wedding and I was telling Tracey of my stories of NC. We decided to go on an adventure and go letter-boxing that afternoon. I had never been and it was kind of awesome. I realized that it was something that I would probably want to do again and I was going to need my own stamp. We decided that a trip to Walmart was in order.
We pulled into the parking lot around 2:50 p.m. We had been talking in the car so the radio wasn't on. As part of my "turning off the car" procedure, I pulled the emergency brake, turned off the heat/air conditioning, turned off the lights, and turned off the radio. Since the radio hadn't been on previously, this of course turned it on instead. My radio is generally on Mix 104.1, my favorite radio station, and since it was late afternoon, I wasn't surprised to hear Gregg, Sue, and Freddy filling the speakers of my car.
"We are just getting word that there have been two explosions in Boston...we'll continue to keep you posted as more information comes in" <-Paraphrased (2 days later it's hard to remember)
Tracey and I just looked at each other and said, "What does that mean?" A million things started to run through my head. Where in Boston? How big were the explosions? Was anyone hurt? Who do I know in Boston? Then Tracey broke me out of my inner thoughts by suggesting that we run into Walmart and get what we need so we can get back to the house to learn more.
Once back in the car we were horrified to learn more details of the bombing at the marathon. As we listened in shock, my earlier questions began to run through my head. How big were the explosions? How many people are hurt? Who do I know in Boston? plus the added Do I know of anyone running in the race?
The answer was yes there were people that I knew of (not personally) participating. There was Kennedy from the Mix 104.1 morning show, with the rest of the morning show waiting for her at the finish line. Of course there was also the Hoyt's, the famous, both locally and nationally, father/son team. As I started to drive home, I handed my phone to Tracey and told her to check my Twitter for news from Kennedy, Karson, Salt, or Mix 104.1 in general. I would have to find out about the Hoyt's once I got home and could check the tracker.
From Karson & Kennedy: "Thoughts are w/those caught up in this terrible tragedy at marathon.
Kennedy is off the course & everyone from the show is safe &
sound."
Knowing this, we rushed home to see the coverage with our own eyes. It was horrifying to watch, we immediately started to call friends and family to make sure they were okay. I texted Elle*, who works for a newspaper, in the hopes that she wasn't covering the marathon, as many reporters are located near the finish line. I texted a friend made at another friend's bridal shower because I knew she lived in Boston and many residents watch the race on their day off. Tracey was also in contact with 2nd3rd Roommate who is an avid runner and could have very well been at or in the race.
Luckily 2nd3rd Roommate was not running in the race, but she was in Boston, near the race. Elle was not covering the race and was at work elsewhere. My friend from the bridal shower was at work near the marathon, but her building was evacuated and was currently with friends away from the marathon. While most people we know were no where near the race, this attack still feels so close to home. Maybe because it's Boston. It's my city, where I've spent so much time. Where my favorite sports teams play. Where I say I'm from, when I travel outside of New England.
Maybe it's because Boston is different from every other city. While sometimes, the impression is given that we are rude, we drink a lot, and we can't drive, we are also very loyal and not just to our sports teams, we a very caring, and very accepting community. I think all of this was very evident on Monday. From the people who opened their homes to strangers, to the runners who continued running to hospitals to give blood, to the bystanders who didn't run away and tried to help those around them. Boston maybe be a big city, but there is a "small town" family feel to it. We may yell when someone cuts us off on the highway, or tease you if you're wearing a Yankees jersey or hat, but when someone attack one of our own, we rally and stay strong for each other.
Lessons from this Weekend
Life is unpredictable and too short to worry about frivolous things and to not do what you love. What matters most are your friends and family, not the things you own or the amount of money you have. Most importantly it important to show compassion and caring to others especially when they are in need.I know that I will keep all of those affected by the attack in my thoughts and I hope you all do too.
*Name has been changed.
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