I hope you’ll all indulge me for a moment with this post. It’s not entirely hockey related, but after these last few days, I just need to get my feelings out.
It’s been weird here in my city.
Every year, Marathon Monday has been truly one of my favorite days in my hometown. There was a tradition.
Wake up early (on my day off). Take the Red Line to Park Street Station. Contemplate taking the Green Line to Fenway Park. See massive crowds of people trying to get on the Green Line. Decide against it. Walk 40 minutes down the Commonwealth Avenue Mall to Fenway Park. Watch some baseball. Have some beers. Eat a Fenway Frank (or 2). Watch the marathon runners as they complete their grueling 26.2 miles. Go home, happy, content, with the memories of yet another awesome Marathon Monday.
When we were in college, Pants and I often shared this tradition. It included a “Marathon Marathon” Pub Crawl down Boylston Street the Sunday before the race, complete with t-shirts and general shenanigans and tom-foolery.
This year, much of my tradition remained the same…with the exception of the ending.
Instead of coming home happy, content, with great memories, I went home scared and unsettled, my eyes constantly on the verge of tears.
For reasons yet unknown, someone chose to shatter this amazing day in my city with two unspeakable acts of violence.
They chose to attack innocent men, women, children who were simply out enjoying a Boston tradition. They were there to cheer on their friends, family, and total strangers who had come from all over the world to participate in this most storied sporting event.
As the days have passed, the outpouring of love for my city has been amazing, especially from the hockey community and from you, our readers.
Without a doubt, hockey players (especially the Bruins) are the most humble athletes and the most ensconced in the community. I know that they feel our pain just as deeply and as acutely. They live in our neighborhoods, eat in our restaurants, drink at our bars, and get involved in the city’s charitable organizations. Although they might not be from Boston or even from the United States, they are ALL Bostonians.
Yesterday’s game vs the Sabres was a welcome respite from the relentless media coverage and a way to take my mind off of everything.
In the end, the Bruins secured a playoff spot despite the shoot-out loss, but what the game really represented was a way for our community to come together and find strength in one another through this sport that we all love.
For us, hockey is a part of who we are, not only as bloggers but as people.
And it will help us all heal.
Wonderful post, Chuck. So glad to hear you were safe throughout. I was also so proud to see that the the Bruins, TD Garden, NHL & NHLPA have come together to donate $250k to families affected by the Boston attacks. One more reason why hockey = the best.
Beautifully said.
One of the things I’ve always loved about hockey since I was a kid was that it was like being part of a giant family. Maybe it was dysfunctional at times, but you always knew someone had your back no matter what. Now, when Boston needed it the most, the hockey family stood up for all of us and while I wasn’t surprised, I was definitely overwhelmed.
I am so glad you are safe. Sending my love from the other end of the state <3
We love you, Chuck! And despite our sibling rivalry, New York loves Boston something fierce, and never more than now. I just wish we weren’t bonding over traumatic terrorist attacks.
As Stephen Colbert said the day after the attack, “Those maniacs tried to make life bad for the people of Boston, but all they managed to do is show how good those people are.” We all stand with you, and are happy you are safe, and know your city will heal. Be safe.
Your last post made me laugh; this one made me cry. Sending you lots of hugs . . .
We are ALL Boston right now, just as we were all NYC after 9/11…and proud to be so! We’re also HUMAN, and the greatest blessing is that the large majority of us have an intrinsic spirit that is loving, caring, and giving. This is embodied most by the Police, Fire, EMS, Service Members, and citizens who ran in when everyone else was running out. I’ve been brought to tears numerous times by the love, generosity of spirit, and plain old togetherness that has sprung up this week.
SO glad you’re safe, Chuck. Stay Boston Strong & know that you are ALL loved!!! <3
I was so relieved to hear you we’re kept safe through this unbelievable act of violence. Thoughts and prayers are with all Bostonians as you all try to heal physically, mentally, as emotionally. I was moved to tears by last night’s national anthem at TD Garden. I got such goosebumps when “Sweet Caroline” was played at Consol and my Pens were singing along. Hockey is so much more than just a sport and the players are so much more than just athletes. So thankful that Boston has such a wonderful team to be somewhat of a distraction and definitely a bright spot in this scary time.
Sorry it’s taken me so long to respond to this: I think you know just how worried I was about you,Chuck, and all my friends from Boston. Despite being a Brit, living in the UK, I have a number of friends in the Boston area (some I consider family) and the city just grabbed me firmly and held on.
I’ll be back in the Fall for Thanksgiving. It’s a wicked pissah town. My kind of town.
Love and hugs to all of you affected personally by this x