Boston Strong

For many people this past week has been an emotional roller coaster showcasing both the very best and the very worst of human nature.  I doubt there is anyone in Massachusetts that doesn't at this point know all the details from Monday's Boston Marathon's tragedies all the way to last night's apprehension of the second bombing suspect. Our heart aches for the victims of this senseless violence and we sincerely hope that healing can now begin. If you haven't already heard, a special fund called One Fund Boston has been set up by Gov. Deval Patrick and Mayor Tom Menino to help support those families affected; you can donate directly at http://onefundboston.org/.


As a runner living in Massachusetts I have a special affinity for the Boston Marathon, and have in years past watched, cheered, and volunteered at the event alongside friends, family, and fellow runners. Runners are a tight-knit group, as are the people of Boston - needless to say an attack on both of these groups only served to further solidify that special bond. I would just like to highlight a few of the amazing acts of selflessness and community that occurred this week.

I had a few friends that were stopped a mile or two short of the finish line, and from them came touching stories of help and concern from other runners and bystanders along the course. Julie Arrison, a runner who was stopped at mile 24, posted this on her Facebook page:

"Out of this tragedy, I will remember the kindness of strangers on the course--crazy college kids who handed over Gatorade and offered us adult beverages--girls in their twenties walking around with boxes of trash bags and covering up cold runners---people offering their last bars of battery life on their cell phones so loved ones could find loved ones--sharing hugs and holding hands with other runners, complete strangers, and people I will never see again as we made our way into Boston together." 

Laura Wellington shared this story in hopes of finding the kind hearted couple that gave her some measure of comfort during this difficult time: 

"I was 1/2 mile from the finish line when the explosion went off. I had no idea what was going on until I finally stopped and asked someone. Knowing that my family was at the finish line waiting for me, I started panicking, trying to call them. Diverted away from the finish line, I started walking down Mass Ave towards Symphony Hall still not knowing where my family was. Right before the intersection of Huntington, I was able to get in touch with Bryan and found out he was with my family and they were safe. I was just so happy to hear his voice that I sat down and started crying. Just couldn't hold it back. At that moment, a couple walking by stopped. The woman took the space tent off her husband, who had finished the marathon, and wrapped it around me. She asked me if I was okay, if I knew where my family was. I reassured her I knew where they were and I would be ok. The man then asked me if I finished to which I nodded "no." He then proceeded to take the medal off from around his neck and placed it around mine. He told me "you are a finisher in my eyes." I was barely able to choke out a "thank you" between my tears.

Odds are I will never see this couple again, but I'm reaching out with the slim chance that I will be able to express to them just what this gesture meant to me. I was so in need of a familiar face at that point in time. This couple reassured me that even though such a terrible thing had happened, everything was going to be ok."

From the finish line stories of heroics came in droves, from the first responders who ran towards the bomb blasts to help the injured to runners who had just finished running 26.2 miles and immediately started running the two miles to Mass General Hospital to donate blood.

The outpouring of support continued well into the week. People gathered together to show their

Gathering at Salem Commons

support for one another and start the hard process of healing. In Salem over a thousand people gathered on the Common decked out in Boston gear. Later a group run in honor of the marathon that was slated to start from Porter Square had to be canceled because thousands of people RSVP'ed to the run within minutes of the email being sent out - the organizers hadn't planned on quite that huge of a response and there wasn't enough room on the streets to safely accommodate that many people!

Those are just a few of the amazing stories of love and caring that came out of this tragic event. I'll leave with this great poem that was shared over social media written by Bostonian Kevin Meehan:

I will run in the dark before Dawn
I will run in the noon day sun
I will run in the bitter cold
I will run in the stifling heat
I will run when the rain falls
I will run when the snow flies
I will run even if I'm tired
I will run even if I ache
But I will NOT run away
I will Not be terrorized
I am Boston I will run