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You see, we were there once--on Patriot's Day, 1982. The photo at the left was taken on that day, and I can't imagine much has changed in the past 31 years. Oh sure, technology has changed; runners are faster, there are more women taking part, and there are more people who are "racing for a cause".
But the Boston Marathon is one of those "pure" amateur athletic events--no rivalries (except maybe among the top runners) causing fans to fight, no athletes earning millions of dollars a year, no "pros" (except, again, for the elite runners). If you qualify, you can run--or guide your wheelchair. And there's no entrance fee for spectators--they line the route from start to finish, sometimes 10-15 people deep, and they cheer. They cheer for friends, and they cheer for strangers. They cheer for the front-runners, and they cheer for the stragglers. As a matter of fact, the loudest cheers are usually for those who appear to need it most, just to keep going.
It's a festive day; a holiday called "Patriots' Day"--as far as I know, it's only celebrated in Massachusetts. Schools are closed, as are universities, and businesses are closed for the day. In addition to the Marathon, there's always a Red Sox game at home in Fenway Park. It might be cold, it might be dreary, but the promise of Spring is there, and people are happy to spend some time on the race course. With 26 miles in the course, there are plenty of opportunities to see the runners. It's really no different than going to a parade; as a matter of fact, there are even bands performing along the route.
Just a low-key amateur event on a Spring day. Something to be remembered in a positive way.
Until some S.F.--Sick Fuck--ruined it. And the right-wing politicized it. Because of course it must be terrorists. Even though there's absolutely no way to know for sure even now, some 26 hours after the event. And, they completely ignore the fact that in order for it to be a "terrorist attack" there has to be a political motive.
I'm going to stick to my S.F. theory. This guy is evil. And, he's a real S.F.--how else can you describe someone who purposely puts bombs in a crowded place, at an event that celebrates nothing but pure athleticism? And only a really S.F. would place the bombs at foot level, so that when they went off, the injuries to the human bodies would be more painful and horrific than we could possibly imagine.
Yes, I know that bombs go off every day in this world. Bombs hurt and kill many people every day. And that makes me sad--sad and full of despair for this world.
But this bombing hit me a little bit harder.
Because from now on, my memories of a great time at a simple, Springtime event, will forever be tainted with blood.
And the hope I have for this world dims, even as I watch the good people rushing to help the injured. Because there will always be S.F.s in this world, and it seems like they're winning.
