Today I Ran

Monday I cried. Tuesday I reflected. Today I ran.

I ran for my city. I ran for the victims and their families. I ran for the first responders. I ran for the police officer directing traffic on the corner of Commonwealth and Massachusetts Avenues who saluted me for lacing up my sneakers. I ran for the man in a suit who high-fived me as I crossed the Bay State footbridge. I ran for the hundreds of other runners I passed wearing blue and yellow.

I’m a writer. It’s what I do; it’s who I am. But today is the first time I’ve been able to write about the act of terrorism that rocked the city I love on Monday afternoon. It took today’s afternoon run for me to be able to sort through my thoughts on the events that transpired on Monday.

Patriots Day is Boston’s day. It the one day a year the entire world is watching and we step up to show the world the incredible city we are. It’s the one day a year I’m woken up by a flyover. It’s the one day a year the Red Sox game is over before lunch. Patriot’s Day will never be the same.

I don’t feel safe. I’m jumpy, nervous. The National Guard members walking down my street with assault rifles don’t comfort me. What comforts me is the images of the amazing people who ran towards the explosions, the first responders who saved lives, the journalists who were on the scene, my friends, family and university that came together to offer love, compassion and solitude.

Boston stepped up. Hundreds have offered places to stay, food, money, blood and their prayers to help those in need. The events of Monday rocked our city; it rocked our city to the core and awaked the heroes within all of us.

One of my friends is a nursing co-op who works in the emergency room at Massachusetts General Hospital. On Monday afternoon she was volunteering at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. She watched the explosion and immediately went into action, helping the first responders care for victims. When the volunteers were sent home she changed and went to MGH to work an eight-hour shift in the ER on her day off. That’s just one person, just one story.

Today I ran and I felt comforted. I felt safe. I felt a part of something bigger than myself. This city has not been defeated. Boston is strong. Boston will continue to step up while the world is watching. Boston is a family. Boston is my home.

Tomorrow, I will run again.