Two years ago I witnessed the Boston Marathon Bombing firsthand, so today I am reflecting on the scariest day of my life.
Source: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
I wasn’t going to post today… since what happened two years ago isn’t something I really like to think about. But last week I was contacted by BBC 5 Live …. it was the day they announced the verdict of the Boston Marathon Bomber … and now the day has been fresh in my mind.
BBC 5 Live wanted to interview me on their live radio show with Phil Williams about my experience on April 15, 2013. I agreed, thinking they would ask me a few questions and we would call it a day. I was actually interviewed THREE times before the show aired, so by showtime, I thought I had my answers to their questions down pat.
After the first question, I became extremely emotional. The scars on my heart from the Boston Marathon Bombing were not healed.
My sister in law said she could hear my voice quivering, and if you were next to me, you’d see my hands shook badly. Talking publicly about the Boston Marathon Bombing awakened a lot of thoughts I had suppressed. Those “What if…?” questions I tried so hard to forget popped up in my mind.. What if we hadn’t moved? What if Melissa had been closer to the finish line? What if it happens again???
But then… Phil Williams asked about my daughter. He wanted to know how she was doing, since I was 8 weeks pregnant on the day of the bombing, and I realized that I needed to let it all go. To live in the now.
My best friend is now married to the love of her life. She wore American flag Converse sneakers to show her love for our country. She is pretty amazing.
Melissa ran in the Boston Marathon last year and finished with a smile on her face. I couldn’t be there to see her run, but I was so proud of her. She could have decided to never run again after the 2013 race, but she never let it stop her from doing what she loves.
My daughter is now 16 months old and some day I believe I will bring her to Boston. I will show her where her Mommy and she stood when the bombs went off. I will tell her how we should’ve been right on the finish line, but a news crew told us to move so they could get a better shot of Andrew proposing. Everything happens for a reason and that day we walked away unharmed.
Today I realize I will never forget what happened. I shouldn’t forget what happened. It reminds me to appreciate the life I live and all that is wonderful around me.
*hugs* This was so well written.
You are the best and such a good writer! I could never put my thoughts into words like you do. Thanks for sharing our story and even though our story of that day is so different I’m so thankful you were there for me and are ok! I didn’t think our gf bond could be any stronger but it def has been since then. Love you gf! Xoxo
You both are amazing and this world needs more ppl like you an mo in it!!! Yet again another amazing blog!! Xo
Even two years later, it is still so easy to get emotional about this. Watching the news coverage of the trial, the families hugging yesterday as they had a moment of silence. It just reminds you that while some people can escape it and not think about it for awhile, it is on the minds of others every single day. I’ll never forget how eerie everywhere felt while they were looking for them. How quiet the roads were when they were searching for them. How people were afraid to leave their houses because they could be in their backyards. And then those who couldn’t leave their houses because they WERE in their backyards. It’s terrifying to think of this happening again. But, on the other end, I am so incredibly proud of how everyone came together over this. How we all banded together and became a little bit closer. That’s what these people are fighting against. They want us to break down and break apart. Live in fear. But we won’t. Such a great post! Thank you for putting into words what so many of us are thinking!