We don't have cable anymore, so Heath and I spent the afternoon on our respective i-devices keeping up with the Boston bombing news on Twitter. After spending an afternoon in disbelief, I sit here full of emotions and thoughts, and no idea how exactly I feel. I wasn't looking at pictures of a city I'd never been to, or a city I've only seen in movies or visited as a tourist. I was seeing pictures of sidewalks I've walked on many times, stores we shop in regularly, and a city I've come to love. We Christmas shopped in the 'marathon sports' store. Boston has always been Heath's favorite city, and I have fallen in love with it more and more each time we visit, which is quite frequently. We had a friend with her family there today supporting a sibling in the race, and we thankfully heard of their safety early on. The pictures and videos were eery and all too familiar, the first time a tragedy like this has felt very close to home, and the first time I know that I will eventually walk on those same sidewalks, buy wine glasses at that Crate and Barrel, and I know the memories of today will linger there.
It's days like this that make me hug my husband extra long, call my parents twice, and cherish every snuggle my cat gives me. Many have been posting on social media sites about how watching the reaction of the crowd gives them hope, and I share that sentiment. It's amazing to see that in the face of tragedy so many are willing to run towards the danger with hopes of saving others. Hug your loved ones tight tonight, and remember that you don't need to wait for a tragedy to care for and lend a hand to strangers.
