brooklyn loves boston.

April 16, 2013

bklovesbostonPhoto by Lucky Tran; Illuminations by @NYClightbrigade and @illuminator99

I’m not a runner. Just a sister to runners. Proud by proxy. In my estimation, there is only one reason to stand at a marathon finish line. It is to feel your heart swell.  To feel it thrum steadily and then fill suddenly with a burst of astonishment and compassion and pride so great that you can physically feel it. 

Watching runners cross the finish line is to be reminded of the strength of the human spirit; the persistent keeping-on that we manage by miracle over and over again.  At a marathon, the demonstration of will and strength is elective, mostly. Runners set a challenge for themselves and they set out to meet it. And when they do, and even if they don’t, there are heart swells.

In these next few days, and in the months and years that will follow, we will see a similar kind of strength. Tragically, it will likely not come with the hoots and hollers that you find at the end of a finish line, but we will take lessons from that place. We will buoy each other up, press ahead, face each new day with fortitude that didn’t seem possible the day before. We will make like the marathoners and carry on.

In the wake of yesterday’s senseless bombings at the Boston Marathon, I find comfort in knowing that the scores of people who were there–and likely all of the people who were injured and killed–had come together because of a common desire to bear witness to the strength and vitality of human beings.

Last night, a series of illuminations were projected against the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Simple messages of love and hope for Boston. These make for heart swells, too.

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23 Comments

  • Reply Lindsey April 16, 2013 at 12:54 pm

    Absolutely beautiful sentiment. In Paris, our hearts swell with you.

  • Reply megan April 16, 2013 at 1:11 pm

    Really beautiful post and thoughtful reflection. I think it takes a very articulate and intelligent person to transition from that speechless state of shock, disappointment and disgust to insightful reflections like the post you wrote above – well done. Thanks for sharing.

  • Reply Alyssa April 16, 2013 at 1:19 pm

    This is a beautiful post. Thank you <3

  • Reply Amy April 16, 2013 at 1:41 pm

    really beautifully written, thanks for sharing.

  • Reply Maria Larsen April 16, 2013 at 1:41 pm

    I do run, and reading posts like this makes me so happy. You did such a great job at writing this and it's absolutely beautiful. Reaching the finish line in any event is the happiest moment in the world, it's such a beautiful struggle to get there, to finish and it's hard to believe that someone would bomb a finish line.

  • Reply holtkamp April 16, 2013 at 1:44 pm

    Thank you so much!

  • Reply Pat April 16, 2013 at 1:50 pm

    Perfectly said. Thank you.

  • Reply annton beate Schmidt April 16, 2013 at 2:38 pm

    thank you for those beautiful words.

  • Reply Roxanne S. April 16, 2013 at 2:45 pm

    This is beautiful, Erin. Everything I wanted to say, but didn't know how. xo

  • Reply Dan Speicher-Pittsburgh wedding photographer April 16, 2013 at 2:46 pm

    Absolutely beautiful. Love the support and stillness of the image

  • Reply susan April 16, 2013 at 3:10 pm

    Perfectly articulated Erin. xo

  • Reply JessinBelgium April 16, 2013 at 3:26 pm

    This is a lovely post. Fitting words for a beautiful NY gesture and photo. Thanks Erin.

  • Reply JC Carter April 16, 2013 at 4:44 pm

    I've been trying to put my feelings into words. This worked wonderfully.

    Thank you!

  • Reply rebecca April 16, 2013 at 4:46 pm

    your way with words is perfection my friend.

  • Reply Anonymous April 16, 2013 at 5:56 pm

    wonderfully said…..xx

  • Reply tinajo April 16, 2013 at 5:57 pm

    Beautiful words, I was so sad to see it – broke my heart for sure. Again. 🙁

  • Reply Neurotic Workaholic April 16, 2013 at 7:42 pm

    This is a great post. Just now I was crying because I kept thinking of what happened at the marathon, but your post made me feel a little better.

  • Reply Boston Gemmie April 16, 2013 at 8:08 pm

    Erin

    Thank you so much for posting this. Being from Boston and living away from my beloved Boston and my beloved New England, I am at lost for words. My mind cannot wrap around what has happened.

    Thank you New York!!!! Thank you Erin!!! Thank you Everyone!

    Boston Gemmie

  • Reply Carol GK April 16, 2013 at 10:39 pm

    Beautifully put, Erin. And thank you for sharing the photo.

  • Reply Kristina April 16, 2013 at 10:53 pm

    Beautiful words, Erin! I really love the illuminations, so simple yet so strong!

  • Reply the hedgehog chronicle April 16, 2013 at 11:11 pm

    in wholehearted agreement.

  • Reply alice {sweet dreamer} April 17, 2013 at 7:11 am

    Beautiful post. Every word: so true.

    It's heartwarming to see so much love come out of this tragedy. x

  • Reply Kimberley Stemshorn April 17, 2013 at 8:09 pm

    Erin, the finish line of a race is one of the few moments that guarantee a heart swell for me too!

    Great sentiments.

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