Boston Marathon 2013

Update – I wrote this post Thursday afternoon before knowing about the continued events that are unfolding today. Everyone in the Boston area – please stay safe!

I have tried multiple times to put words around my feelings about what happened in Boston on Monday. But it’s been hard to do. At the same time, it has proven helpful for me, so here are my thoughts on the tragedy.

Having recently moved out of Boston to Ohio, I still feel like Boston is my home. When I meet people here in Cincinnati, I always make a point to say that I just moved here from Boston. I guess the word “just” is relative and at some point, that won’t be part of my introduction. But I don’t know when that will happen.

2008

Marathon Monday has always been my favorite day of the year in Boston. The day is full of magic and inspiration. I have to admit that when I first heard people talking about how great Marathon Monday was, I was skeptical. I didn’t see how standing outside to watch a bunch of runners could stand up to the hype. Then I went to my first Boston Marathon. And I was hooked.

Since we lived near Coolidge Corner, our yearly routine was to hit up Coolidge Corner Clubhouse for some food, a beer, and to watch the elite men and women cross the finish line on the TV. Then we’d head out to the course. We’d start by cheering at Coolidge Corner for a while, always checking our phones to track where people we knew were at on the course. We’d slowly work our way down to the finish line, cheering on the runners and just enjoying the atmosphere that is Marathon Monday in Boston.

2012

One year we went to the Red Sox game. Hubby and I both hated it. We wished we were out with the crowds, high-fiving runners, screaming their names to encourage them, and clapping to cheer them on. That’s exactly what we did once we left Fenway that year.

This year we had planned to fly back to Boston for the weekend and stay for Marathon Monday. With the timing of getting our new house and the expenses associated with that, we decided not to make that trip.

This might sound crazy, but Hubby and I both wish we had been there. Sure, we’re glad that we are safe here in Ohio (I know our parents are too). But processing this tragedy from 1000+ miles away has been difficult to say the least. I found out about the bombing on Facebook Monday afternoon. I instantly starting emailing and texting friends to make sure everyone was safe. Luckily, everyone we talked to was safe, as well as their friends and families. I found someone to cover my Monday night meetings and went home in a daze.

2008

Hubby and I both had a strong desire to be in Boston on Monday night. We felt so helpless here in Ohio. We sat in our living room, listening to WBUR streaming through our computer while reading everything online we could find about the bombings. We’ve seen the Google Document where people offered a place to stay for anyone affected by the marathon. We’ve read the stories about the marathon runners who ran to the hospital to give blood. And the first responders who ran towards the second blast.

The stories go on and on of people in Boston helping others in need. But we can’t help anyone here. I can’t even give my friends a hug. Most people in Cincinnati don’t feel the same sadness, anger, and sheer confusion around the events that took place on Monday. So Hubby and I have been sharing this experience together. But at the same time, we both feel very alone in this new city of ours.

2011

I know that we are pretty lucky in the fact that no one we know got hurt. And I realize that complaining about dealing with the emotions of this attack from far away is nothing in comparison to what some other families are dealing with this week. I wanted to share my feelings and open a discussion for anyone else who loves Boston and hates what happened. Boston is a strong community and the city will make it through this tough time. I have no doubt about that.

Here are some other articles that fellow bloggers have written about the tragedy. If you’ve seen others out there, add the link in the comments.

Fiona from A Boston Food Diary wrote about the Boston community. This post had me in tears and rings so true to the attitude of Bostonians.

My friend Nick is a video game blogger and he lives 3 doors down from the house with the boat where they found Suspect #2. He writes about it on his blog, Applied Gaming.

Kirsten from Cake, Batter, and Bowl wrote about a friend who started fundraising for victims of the attack.

Shannon from Tri to Cook wrote about her experience with the marathon, where she volunteers every year.

Megan from Delicious Dishings wrote about her feelings from Monday.

Brianne from Sweet Cheeks in the Kitchen wrote about her experience on Monday. Her husband ran the race and they were waiting for a table at the Cheesecake Factory when the bombs went off.

Brianne’s post led to me to her friend Amy’s blog… Amy from The Lawsons did Dallas! also wrote about the experience. She was with Brianne, along with both of their young sons at the time of the explosions.

Kristen from Decorate This! wrote about her experience as a spectator the day of the race. Her husband finished before the bombings, but they weren’t able to get ahold of each other due to spotty service immediately following the tragedy.

And her husband, Jeff from I was Born Ready wrote about his experience as a runner. I love reading stories about marathon runners, they always make me cry. Jeff summarizes his feelings in a very real way that hit home for me.