Heavy Hearts

My heart is heavy.  So very heavy.  I do not understand what happened in my home town on Monday. I’ve seen the horrific footage of the Boston Marathon over and over again.  I watch runners so near the finish lines with smiles on their faces and that pop and plume of smoke.  Each time I shutter as if seeing it again for the first time.  How could this happen here?

Like so many friends and family, Boston is my city.  Although we don’t live in the city itself, we are just 30 miles away on Boston’s South Shore in Scituate.  I grew up on the North Shore and have such fond memories of the city.  I remember my whole 5th grade going to see the Sox so we could sing the the national anthem, my dad by my side.  I remember gliding on the swan boats and feeding the ducks peanuts.  Newbury Street, Boston’s version of the Champs Elysee, was a favorite destination with my mom for window shopping and lunch.  The Pops at Christmas, Bruins games, The Grateful Dead concert, Hard Rock Cafe after prom, The Walk for Hunger.  This one city holds so many wonderful memories for me, like bringing our baby to Boston for the first time:
John’s first trip to Boston as a baby
We go to Boston a lot with the kids.  We love taking them to the museums, to open markets and have fun trying all the different food trucks. Our children love trips to the city.  They love the train ride in or the ferry from Hingham, both allow an adventure in the journey.  There is so much to do and see.  The tall skycrapers, so cosmopolitan and soaring, compared to our seaside town’s small cedar shingled buildings. 
I am so angry about what has happened.  My heart aches for all those who were hurt and killed. All the families.  I keep thinking about all the families who went to cheer on friends or loved ones as they finished the marathon.  How such a happy and festive event turned to horror.
I struggled to tell my 7 year old what happened, but I focused on the words of Mr. Rogers.  I told my son that someone did something very horrible to hurt people, but there were so many good people who were there to help those who were hurt.  The first responders, runners, reporters, police, doctors, nurses were all there to help those who needed them.  
In a way I feel like a bit of my innocence is gone.  My idea of what is impossible has been shattered once again.  My heart is as heavy as it was on December 14, 2012 with the Sandy Hook Tragedy and on 9/11 twelve years ago.
Please let our children grow up in a safe world.  Please let this hate and violence end.
Conor enjoying the Make Way for Ducklings sculptures
If you are also trying to understand this or if you’d like to help; Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Tom Menino have announced the formation of The One Fund Boston, Inc. to help the people most affected by the tragic events that occurred in Boston on April 15, 2013.
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thefinestkind
10 years ago

So glad to know about the fund; thank you!
And oh…I had such naughty words running through my head when all this took place, and I am not a naughty word kind of girl! It’s just so heartbreaking. Praying we can serve justice by showing no fear and resolving to love more tangibly and passionately than ever.

Danielle
10 years ago
Reply to  thefinestkind

You are right, we have to stand strong and show we are not afraid and show those around us – friends, family, strangers how much they are loved.

Jennifer@The Chronicles of Home

Hugs, sweets. This isn’t my hometown but the bombing and aftermath have made me realize just how attached I’ve gotten to Boston since moving here 7 years ago. It never seems like it should be happening at “home.”

Divine Theatre
10 years ago

Several years ago, my dear friend was murdered along with four other women at the Lane Bryant Store in Tinley Park, IL. I still cannot wrap my heart or my mind around it. The thing is, this type of random evil cannot be pinpointed. It can happen anywhere. There is no sense to be made of it. God, I wish there was.
I agree that we should never be afraid of looking foolish when sharing our hearts with others. After all, love is really all we have.

xo

Andie

Danielle
10 years ago
Reply to  Divine Theatre

So horrible and tragic. I’m very sorry to hear about your friend. This past week has been horrifying for all of us. I’ve been holding my two little boys close. You’re right. The love we have to give is the only thing we know for sure. And love is so much stronger than hate.

Cynthia
10 years ago

I am so sorry that you are in the midst of this horrible event. I am so sad about this and feel for all of you. My husband works in NY and he was there for 9/11 and was close to it and it was terrible. This has brought back memories for me and I am so angry that someone would do this in our wonderful country. Sending thoughts and many prayers.

Cynthia

Lorraine
10 years ago

It is so sad…and then today to hear of the explosion in Texas….evil is in the world and always has been….we need to promote goodness everyday to fight the growth of evil….it’s all we can do…..the video of everyone singing the national anthem at the Bruins game was SO moving! We are a strong people who appear to be not united….until,we have to stand together…then we always do. America and Americans are great people……

KellyMellyBoBellyBananaFanna

sending thoughts.