As many of you know, a terrorist attack occurred today in Boston, Massachusetts during the annual Boston Marathon Race. Two bombs were detonated in the Copley Square area, killing three and wounding well over one hundred people. Information as to who perpetrated this act of terror is as of yet still unavailable.
For its brief one and a quarter year history, Demagaga has avoided being directly impacted or involved in any of the stories covered here on this blog. For those who have read this blog, it is no secret that it is based out of Boston and thus it should be no shock that this story has hit a little closer to home.
I am not a native of New England or Massachusetts but I have called Boston my home for the past six years. I was lucky enough to try out surrounding areas like Cambridge and Somerville, but I have lived on Beacon Hill in the heart of Boston for the majority of my time here. It has become my home and I cherish it with the affection afforded to those special places one chances upon in life- where loves are made and lost, opportunities created and taken, and a life is pursued.
The Boston Marathon was one of the few opportunities during the year that I got to meet up with people from out of town, mainly family and family friends, and it was a time I looked forward to with great anticipation. After all, I was too poor to travel home often and the economy in the United States is tough and was tough for years. The energy surrounding the event, the opportunity to see family and friends, and the chance to show off our city are some of my favorite memories here.
The talented athletes and their families that come to compete in the marathon were robbed of this experience. I mourn for the three casualties reported thus far and I pray for those injured and their families. The senselessness of the attack, coupled with the uncertainties surrounding the current situation in Boston, have created an atmosphere that I have never experienced in the city before.
Outside of the window, the gas light streets of Beacon Hill are lined with police vehicles of every type.
Normally, people would be out celebrating the end of the marathon.
Typically, after the marathon, the city is filled to the brim with people wearing the current year’s marathon jacket. Some runners are even still in their Heatsheets given to them upon completion of the race.
Of course, the clanging of medals and the exchanging of stories among the various people gathered to celebrate afterwards is a place where connections are forged and future meetings are planned. To those who train so hard for the marathon there is no better news than that you have qualified for the next Boston.
Whatever innocence attended this event was shattered today and, of course, it may never be the same.
Boston is filled with resilient, tough people who do not shy away from heroism or self-sacrifice. Immediately after the blast, the crowd rushed to the aid of those wounded without thought or care for their own safety.
In times of darkness it is comforting to admire these people and focus on their stories of triumph and victory, their sense of purpose amidst violence and chaos.
We cannot pretend things like this will not happen, but we cannot let it alter who we are.