The Boston Marathon

Three years ago Jackson and I stood at the finish line of the Boston Marathon and cheered on the finishers. If they had their names on their bibs we'd cheer, "GREAT JOB, JIM!" or "WAY TO GO KATIE!" as if we knew them. It was SO much fun. We were out East to visit a law school in Connecticut and to vacation in Maine. We happened upon the Marathon completely by mistake when we decided to spend a few hours in Boston before heading to the airport to fly back to Denver. It was actually the fun we had at the Marathon that made us change our plans and move to Boston instead of elsewhere. We loved it. The people were friendly and the city was so proud of this event and the participants. The atmosphere was electric and we were smitten.

Like many, I'm still processing what on earth happened at this year's Boston Marathon. The thing that stuck with me the most when I heard about the bombing was the sheer number of people at that finish line. It was PACKED the year we were there. I was actually shocked that more people didn't lose their lives. It was also an eerie feeling to know that just three years ago we'd been standing in the spot where people's lives were forever changed. It was amazing to think about how quickly a joyous occasion could turn into a disaster. I give all glory to the Lord that more lives weren't senselessly lost. I also have a heavy heart for those families who are now missing a loved one because of their heinous act.


It breaks my heart when things like this happen and ruin our innocence. The redeeming thing about tragedies is how people respond in the aftermath. Just when something happens that makes you lose faith in humanity, stories of lovely human interaction emerge. Strangers risk their own safety to help each other to safety. People open their homes to strangers who have been displaced. Emergency responders get the appreciation and accolades that they all too often don't get. People line up to donate blood. Communities unite over their grief and build a oneness that wasn't there before and may last lifetimes.  We're all made aware, again, that life can change in an instant. That tomorrow isn't guaranteed just as much as five minutes from now is not. It reminds us to reach out to those we love to tell them so. It also reminds us how so many of our problems aren't anything more than minor annoyances.   I believe in the resilience of the human spirit. I have no doubt that the city of Boston will restore itself to its former glory and that the 2014 Boston Marathon will be nothing short of amazing.