It's been a few days and the initial shock of the horrors at the Boston Marathon has still not receded. I'm really still at a loss for words (not good, for a blogger!). Boston is my hometown, and Marathon Monday is one of the absolute best days to be in the city. It always feels like the start of spring. It's a day of triumph and victory -- for runners and fans alike -- over the race, over illness, over obstacles we all face. It's a day of community; people coming together from around the world for this one day of happiness and accomplishment.
Many Tuckies and TPs were running and supporting fellow runners at the race on Monday, and my heart felt like it stopped waiting for news that friends and family were alright. I applaud the Tuck MBAPO (program office) for organizing efforts and streamlining communications about possibly affected Tuckies in the midst of all the chaos -- all of whom are safe, thank God. My heart aches for the families of those killed or wounded.
A friend shared a quote by Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers) that has brought me some comfort in this time of confusion:
When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.' To this day, especially in times of "disaster," I remember my mother's words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers--so many caring people in this world.
Yesterday, Boston.com tweeted some excerpts from writers with Boston roots, sharing their takes on Monday's terrifying events. One sticks with me in particular, about Boston being regarded as an unfriendly town that's "hard to crack," but "once you're in, you're in. The people are ferociously loyal and have inexhaustible reserves of heart." In a way, I think Tuck is similar in its culture. Bostonians may have tough exteriors...Tuckies not so much 😊 ...but in the categories of loyalty, humility, and generosity -- that's so Tuck. In Boston and Tuck alike, I'm thankful to be a part of such strong communities where people genuinely care for one another and go out of their way to support each other. There are so many caring people in this world.
