Run for Boston

Here are a couple of news coverage articles and videos from the Run for Boston I put together on Friday.  We ended up with about 80 or so runners and raised over $500 for the One Fund Boston foundation that Menino and Patrick put together.  If you'd like to make a donation that goes straight to the families that have been effected by the bombings go to onefundboston.org.

BOSTON STRONG!

http://www.kionrightnow.com/story/22029700/tribute-run#.UXf6owNGM9B.twitter

http://www.ksbw.com/Showing-love-for-Boston/-/1824/19827128/-/5rc5a2/-/index.html#.UXf79yvEBqI.twitter

For Boston

Someone this morning questioned (with a clearly confused look) why I was so upset.  Clearly I wasn't my jovial self and even though I'm not living in Boston anymore and that thankfully none of my family or friends were injured, this was still an emotional morning for me as it was for everyone else.

What people out here do not realize is that yesterday was not just a Monday.  It was Patriot's Day, Marathon Monday, a holiday.  There is a lack of understanding as to how much pride comes with growing up in Massachusetts, whether it was actually IN the city or outside or in Sturbridge or Orange or Swampscott or wherever.  We are a very proud group of people that clearly take everything to heart.  So when something as tragic as this happens on Boston's most popular day of the year, it strikes a chord with all who have ever grown up there, still live there, have friends and family there.  With those that have walked down Boylston, have cheered loudly for those tough enough to brave Heartbreak Hill.  With those of us that know what it's like to walk towards Fenway, but not nearly as fast as you normally would because you want to cheer on the runners before entering the Cathedral.  It touches us all.

Patriot's Day celebrates the beginning of the Revolutionary Way which if you may not know started right in the area I grew up.  As kids it may have been hard for us to truly appreciate all of our historic buildings in Bedford, Lexington and Concord because really how many times can you go on those tours?!!  But once the understanding of what happened there sinks in you begin to realize how special an area it really is.  And you are proud to say that MY TOWN FLAG IS THE OLDEST IN THE COUNTRY!  All of those early mornings your parents dragged you out of bed to go see the reenactment on the Lexington green means more to you when you are older.  We grew up in a town that helped start a revolution and build a country.

So while I may not live in Boston anymore and probably will not live there anytime in the near future; my family is still there, my friends are still there, my home is STILL there.  And yes I did NOT grow up in the city of Boston.  I am not from Southie, or the Town, or wherever else all these people out here think I may be from due to watching too many Ben Affleck movies.  I am from Bedford, MA.  Born and raised and proud.  But Boston is still my home.  And even being 3000 miles away the cowardly acts of yesterday still ring true out here.  I worry about my family and friends that have to commute into town every day with an unnecessary fear on their minds.  I'm incredibly sad for everyone involved yesterday and it kills me to think that this happened so close to home.  I love my family so much and take my friendships seriously and even those of you that I haven't talked to in 10 years know that I'd do anything for you if you needed it.

We are a proud group of people and we stick together through tough times.  We are BOSTON and we do NOT roll over and take it.  We get up, dust ourselves off, fight for one another and help one another.  So Boston I'm so incredibly sorry that this happened to you, it absolutely breaks my heart.  But I know we will become stronger because of it!  I love and miss you all, all thoughts and prayers go out to you.  Be safe!