My Boston

I should show you pictures. I looked for one of Boston that would show the reason it is such a lovely city and why I am so proud it has always been my home town. I want you to know what a quaint and historic and hip a city Boston is.

But I couldn't find any pictures I liked enough, so I will use my words.

I also wanted to show you the Boston Marathon, this 26 mile race that starts in a two lane small town called Hopkinton and runs through Newton and Heartbreak Hill, where I and my family and friends have stood two or three people deep near the the corner of Commonwealth Ave (Comm Ave to most) and Chestnut Street. 

I wanted to show you what Copley Square looks like, where the finish line is; and the majestic Boston Public Library and Boylston Street and all its good stores and bars and restaurants and the Copley Plaza Hotel that oozes history.

But I couldn't find a picture to show you that either.

Boston took a horrific hit yesterday. Two bombs at the finish line, three people killed, blood everywhere in a crowd where many many people, some children, had their lower limbs blown apart. The news today is about trauma and amputations. 

My god, I live in a violent country. Violence is part of the United States. There, I've said it. Bombs and guns and last week knives plus a nuclear threat from a creepy kid in North Korea. Make that we live in a violent world. Things are bad.

I lived ten short miles outside of Boston for a lot of years. I've seen probably ten Marathons from that corner on Comm Ave. I've had the thrill of holding out orange slices for some runner who may grab one and nod thanks while he's flying by me. I've cheered on the Wheelchair athletes and marveled at how cool the whole Marathon is. It's always held on a state holiday: Patriot's Day and some people have the day off and some don't. Even if you work, you know it's still a holiday.And you keep an eye on the Marathon. The 26 mile stretch from Hopkinton to Copley Squared is lined with fans and their lawn chairs the whole route; lawn chairs and coolers and straw hats and huge signs like "Go Daddy!"

The Boston Marathon is as great an event as it gets.

I am only going to say one more thing. In my Boston yesterday, many many first responders and  runners and spectators ran toward the explosions, not away from it. They ran to help. Their concern for so many so very injured is what I've heard emphasized on the news today. What happened at the Boston Marathon yesterday was horrible and horrific. I mourn the loss and impact. But holy shit am I proud to be a Bostonian. 

I knew it all along: that special way I carry competence and kindness when needed and that twinkle in my eye is because I am from Boston.

Love

kj