Boston Strong

The last few days have been truly unreal.  You never think something like this will happen in your own city.  Over the lat few days I've gone in and out of fits of tears and uncertainty.  Every time I read an article or heard a story about one of the courageous stories or poignent memorials coming out of the devastating marathon bombings my heart ached and the tears flowed.  Yesterday I didn't have a choice, I had to go to school to work on my educator evaluation evidence.  I sat in my classroom and tried my best to focus on gathering evidence that I have been doing my job this year but I just couldn't.   I kept thinking about facing my 4th graders on Monday.  As if Newtown wasn't horrific enough, now these kids need to deal with this.  I kept thinking of our friend who was running her first marathon, didn't get to finish, and whose family was very close to the second blast.  Imaging her heartache and whirlwind of emotions is almost too overwhelming to comprehend.

Today I watched the interfaith service "Healing the City."  I was especially struck by Mayor Menino's words, "Nothing can defeat the heart of this city. Nothing. Nothing will take us down because we take care of one another. Even with the smell of smoke in the air… blood on the streets… tears in our eyes… we triumphed over that hateful act on Monday afternoon. It is a glorious thing the love and the strength that covers our city. It will push us forward and it will push thousands and thousands and thousands of people across the finish line next year. Because this is Boston, a city with the courage, compassion and strength that knows no bounds."  And when President Obama said, "You’ve shown us, Boston, that in the face of evil, Americans will lift up what’s good. In the face of cruelty, we will choose compassion. And this time next year, on the third Monday in April, the world will return to this great American city to run harder than ever, and to cheer even louder, for the 118th Boston Marathon. Bet on it," I stood up in my living room and cheered.  We will be back, we may not be the same, but we will be stronger and we will not succumb to terror.


I woke up this morning determined to go into Boston and after these powerful words I couldn't get there fast enough.  I expected to feel nervous getting on the train but I didn't at all.  There was a sense of unspoken unity.  When the train emerged from the tunnel and crossed the Longfellow Bridge the majority of people turned to take in the dazzling skyline.  I got off the train at Park Street and walked down to Faneuil Hall.  There was certainly a heavy police and National Guard presence but there was also that festive atmosphere that you are always greeted with when you walk down the steps of Government Center and walk into the Marketplace.  I had lunch and took in a very funny street performance.  It was so nice to see so many people laughing.  I was also struck by how many foreign tourists were out and about.  I'm glad they are enjoying the great city of Boston!

After lunch I walked down to the Aquarium to see the seals.  The seals always make me happy!  I wound my way back through Faneuil Hall and down through Downtown Crossing.  I even stopped to do some shopping.  I felt somewhat normal again.  

I then walked through the Boston Common, stopping to view the memorial at the bandstand.  As I headed out of the common, on my way to the Public Gardens, I stopped to snap some pictures of the National Guard and police stationed on the Common.  In a way, it reminded me of what it must have been like in Colonial times when they used the Common to muster troops.  

I crossed over into the Public Gardens, the one place I can always count on in the city to make me feel at peace.  Today was no different.  Even with police and guardsmen walking through the Gardens it was still the Public Gardens.  The Swan Boats were on the pond, the tulips are starting to grow, and the incredible peace and tranquility was still there. 

After the Public Gardens I headed over to Boylston Street.  

As I looked down the street, FBI investigators still combing the area, I was struck by how the street seemed frozen in time.  Marathon barricades were still lining the sidewalks, what was left of the grandstands and finish line were there.  

I really felt it was important to see the memorial.   I'll let the pictures do the talking.

No one could read this letter without tearing up.

Mr. Rodgers leads the way.

Touching.

It felt so good to walk around Boston today! Sure some things were different, National Guard troops on trains, unbelievable amounts of news crews, and heavily armed police officers on the streets. But so much was the same. We will never forget, we will never be exactly the same, but we will never give up our city and our city way of life! #bostonstrong

Tomorrow is "Wear Boston Day."  Think high school spirit day taken to the next level.  If you have something with the word Boston on it, wear it.  Lets unite together to show our support for the city but also show just how #bostonstrong the city and the country are.