It was the PERFECT day!!
Sunny, 65 degrees with a light breeze...
We decided to drive up to the North end for some good eats. We packed up the kids and headed out. Our first stop was Mikes pastry- one of our favorite places in B-town and wanted Holly to partake of the yumminess!
What a SWEET treat!!
After, we drove around the city enjoying the sunshine and seeing the sights. We ended up on commonwealth avenue were we found NO parking. But I really wanted to see part of the race, so Ben suggested we jumped out and he would circle around for a bit and come back to get us after we were done (I have the sweetest hubby :)
So, off we went! Bryson, Holly and I (Hallie was fast asleep in the car with Daddy) ran over to the crowd and found a small opening in the masses of spectators where we had a GREAT view of all the runners.
It was EXCITING!
You could feel such a wonderful spirit of encouragement, anxiousness (the finish line was just around the corner) and enthusiasm!!
There is nothing like it! Nothing like I'd ever experienced before :)
Seeing random strangers cheering on others to accomplish their goal was inspiring! There was a true essence of unity! Bryson jumped up on my shoulders and cheered, yelling "lets go run-hers!!" We stayed for a bit, hoping to see one of our old friends who was running the marathon- but decided to leave early so we could get home for Bryson's nap. I was REALLY sad that we had to leave, and almost sent Ben home with the kids so I could stay and watch, but Holly talked me out of it.
THANK GOODNESS she did! It was just an hour later that the two bombs exploded a few blocks from where we were.
We were at home eating a bit of lunch when we heard what had happened. We immediately received call/texts from our family and friends reassuring our safety- we had just posted a few pictures of us down at the marathon minutes before the bombs exploded so a few of our friends thought we were down there when it happened.
We were VERY blessed that we were not down there. I count my blessings that my family and I had decided to come home- it would have been life changing to have been there when the horrifying tragedy occurred. All those fellow Bostonians, spectators and runners from around the world that were affected have been in our thoughts and prayers. Our hearts have been very heavy this past week as we have sent our love to everyone involved.
The thing that hit me the most about this whole tragedy was not only that we were almost there when it all happened, but how someone could take such a beautiful, exciting, celebratory event and try to demolish it. Although it did destroy the spirit that day, it surely hasn't destroyed the spirit of Boston. That spirit that we felt while we were at the race is now ALL OVER Boston- unity, strength, and encouragement blankets bean town and the surrounding areas :) It really is a special time to be here, and we feel so blessed to be taking part in it :)
Be strong Boston! We love you!
