Side Thoughts

This week, for those of us that live in the Boston area, has been very emotional. And in reality, I’m sure for all of America. While many think of Easter as heralding in spring, those of us around Boston know that spring has truly arrived when we have the Boston Marathon. More often than not the sun is shining and we can ditch our coats and bask in the warm sun that we missed all winter long.

This marathon, after the tough winter with the blizzard that dumped a pile of snow on us, was more than welcomed. I’ve been able to watch the marathon from a couple of vantage points in the early stages and it is so impressive to watch the runners, thousands of them, go by. Some fast. Some, not so fast. Thousands of spectators line the entire route, cheering on folks that they have no idea who they are but do it any ways because it’s cool to watch. It brings the many communities along the way, and their residents, out of their houses and into the streets. Many families get together and have their first cook out (its Patriot’s Day so many have the day off) of the season. It is just such a great tme.

 At any rate, the events of this past Monday and the past week as a whole were disturbing and horrible. I had a friend running to raise money for cancer and another friend near the finish line rooting for folks that she knew. Fortunately, all are ok. And I am thankful.

New Englanders are known for being a bit reserved and not overly emotional (unless it comes to sports of course). We don’t make friends easy and are wary at first of folks that seem to want to hang out with us. Often you have to be an acquaintance for a few years before you’re really accepted into a circle of friends. But they are all lifelong friendships.

Last Monday, those that lost their lives and those that were injured, were friends of all of us. Even if we didn’t know them. We were all hurt to see the outcome and wondered how could somebody take such a beautiful day and senselessly turn it into a day of pain and destruction.

But this is New England. We’ll get back on our feet, dust off, mourn those we've lost and help those in need. Because they are our friends. And we’ll all be watching the runners next year.

Because that’s who we are.