April 15, 2013

Marathon


Today was Patriot's Day here in Massachusetts, and also the Boston Marathon. It's become our own little family ritual to go and cheer on the runners, this is our fifth year and third for Little Smith (here's last year's very hot race). We always watch at Coolidge Corner, which is about two miles before the finish line, where the crowds are much more manageable.

Our own experience this year was as good as ever. We got there early and took turns watching runners and humoring Little Smith by checking out the Green Line (hoo hoo train). We pushed nap-time back as far as we could, but by 2PM we had a very squirmy and overtired toddler so we decided to head back to our car. We drove around with the windows down, taking the long way home and circling the river so that Little Smith could sleep. I noticed the first of the flowering trees this season, beautiful pink and white blossoms popping open. We ended up in Cambridge and were heading for an early dinner when the texts started coming in.

Friends who knew we were watching the marathon were asking if we were okay, and I had no idea what they were talking about. We slowly learned that there had been several explosions at the finish line, that people were hurt. Later we learned that two people had been killed, including an eight year old boy, and that many of the injuries were serious.

I haven't been able to bring myself to watch the coverage, it's such an unreal tragedy and our hearts go out to the victims and all of their friends and families. It's never easy to process something this awful, but when it is your own town it shakes you even harder. We're grateful to be safe tonight, and so sorry for those who were hurt by this horrible act.

15 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you all are safe.

    This kind of thing makes me want to go to sleep, like it's all a bad dream that will just go away if I fall asleep, and wake up to a world where people don't bomb each other for no reason.

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  2. You know I'm glad you're safe I'm sure at this point, I'm sure. Let's see.. emails? Multiple instagram posts?

    It's so easy to put acts like these onto the just another shitty thing in the world pile, but when the blocks aren't anonymous and the community is yours, it really shakes you. This is just so incredibly personal for me, even being as far removed as I am; I can't imagine what it was like for those who were right there. It just makes me sick and I feel completely at a loss for the appropriate words.

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  3. It's such a sad end to what looks like a beautiful day....when will it all stop? So sad for the families involved.

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  4. I'm so glad you're all safe. I watched the news this morning (here in the UK) and couldn't believe what I heard. There is such awfulness in the a world that is so lovely.

    Much love to you all,

    Nina x

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  5. Good to hear that your family is well and safe.

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  6. Great photos from the day, great baby bump, great balloon Little Smith (!) - and SO SO glad to read you and yours are safe! Blessings! - Skye

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  7. I am so sorry, there just aren't words. The physical devastation is tragic enough, and like everyone here my heart goes out to the victims. But there are more layers to it-- what had been a lovely family experience & community gathering & world celebration will now always be remembered in concert with the actions of some monstrous moron with some stupid ax to grind. Thank God the good people in the world will always outnumber the criminally stupid, & thank heavens you & yours (and the vast majority of people in attendance) made it home safely.

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  8. So happy you guys are safe and sound. What a sad day, I'm sure it resonates with you in a huge way since you live there. The pictures look so bright and happy, it's hard to comprehend what happened a little while later. Hugs to you, friend!

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  9. I'm glad you and yours are well. It's hard to imagine something so awful. :(

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  10. It was so horrible, I couldn´t help but crying. So heart breaking. :-( Glad you´re all OK!

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  11. Beautiful shots of the race, and I'm so relieved you guys are okay. Such a freak tragedy and makes me nervous to my core about just random acts like this. Sending love!

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  12. What happened is just so incomprehensible and it touched so many people around the world. I can't imagine how I'd feel if this happened in my town. I'm glad you guys are safe. Kellie xx

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  13. I can't even imagine how it must feel to have this happen in your home town, I was so upset hearing the news. Like you I'm not going to watch the footage, to hear one of the dead was so young..its just so horrendous. So glad you are safe, lots of love xx

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  14. I still can't believe this happened - it's so senseless it makes me crazy!! I'm so happy you all are okay.

    xo
    cortnie

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  15. I just stumbled across your blog and first of all I loooove your little family. Adorable! Congrats. Secondly, when I saw this marathon post my heart dropped. I am so happy that you and your family left at 2pm... especially considering where you were seated. That was such a horrific event.... I just don't understand. To this day. Blessings your way.

    xoxo,
    Darling
    www.CreatedWonderland.com

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