for Boston

I know everyone is on Boston overload right now, but in all this chaos and uncertainty, so many wonderful stories of human compassion and kindness have risen from the dust.

There's not much that I personally can say about what happened, that hasn't already been said. I just feel that out of all the maddness, we are reassured how good the people of Boston are. How good we all are. And how despite all our differences, when given the opportunity, we jump at the chance to lend a hand and help our fellow man.

I just wanted to take a minute to share with you some of the tremendous offerings of support given from all likes of people.

After running for 26 ridiculous miles, when hearing what happened, runners continued on, past the finish line, running another TWO MILES to Mass General to donate blood.

Absolutely amazing.

Other people opened their homes to those who were stranded, or offered lifts to people without transport. A Google document was set up with offers of help. People offering what they had and where they were located.

I love the people of Boston.

And others offering something simple like blankets, a bathroom, and something to drink. They had afterall, just ran a freaking marathon!

 Of course first responders are amazing. Civilians too. Running toward the chaos to help those injured. Some carrying people away from the danger and then going back to help more. One man was caught on camera rushing straight to site where the bomb had detonated, where bloodied people were lying dazed on the pavement. He ripped off his belt to make a tourniquet and stem the bleeding, before turning to assist other seriously-injured victims.

And of course this made me smile:

So I wanted to say Thank You.

Thank you to my friends in Boston who stayed safe and sound.


Thank you to everyone who is good and caring and loving.

Thank you for doing what is right.

Thank you for restoring my faith in humanity.

Some of you know that I ran my first 5K Saturday. (I'll tell you about that later.) I had no desire to run a 10K or a Half Marathon, or even God forbid, a whole, actual Marathon. On my run today, I was mentally complaining to myself about how I was tired and wanted to be finished. But then I remembered the picture of the man in a wheelchair with his feet blown off. I thought to myself "I'm running for those who can't run anymore. I'm running for the man in the wheelchair. I'm running for the little 8 year-old boy who will never run again. I'm running for anyone would give anything to walk, let alone run again. I'm running for Boston."

I know this sounds cheesy. But, this mantra gave me the endurance to finish my run strong. Its moments like these that make me realize how small and trivial most of my problems really are. A perfect time for that ever-so-popular phrase First World Problems.

So I've decided to run a 10K, and dedicate it to The City Boston, and to those affected by this tragedy. To all those who can't run, or will never run again. I know it sounds sort of self-righteous to do this, but I'm not going to make a big deal about it. I'm telling you my bloggy friends, and maybe my boyfriend and mom. It just seems like the right thing to do, for me, to help me make some sense of all this insanity.

xoxo, McGriddle Pants

For Boston, for Boston,
we sing our proud refrain
for Boston, for Boston
'tis wisdom's earthly fane
for here are all one
and our hearts are true
and the towers on the heights
reach the heavens own blue.
for Boston, for Boston
'til the echoes ring again

Lyrics by The Dropkick Murphys