by Wolf Bird » Tue Apr 15, '14, 12:58 pm
Being the only Bostonian here (I think?), seems appropriate. Today is the one-year anniversary of the marathon bombing. I remember that day well. I had no idea what was going on until I got a text from my brother asking if I was okay while I was trying to leave work, and I left at 3 due so I could get to a walk-in clinic because I needed an immediate medical test. This was right after the bombs had gone off, and being so close to the actual site, I had definitely heard something strange. As I was packing up, my boss came by and asked if we had heard anything strange. We all had, but passed it off as normal outside noise at the time, as it was marathon day, after all.
Then I get outside and it was a mass exodus out of Back Bay. Nearly got trampled, sirens everywhere, it was a mess. And I thought to myself that the marathon couldn't possibly be done already, so I couldn't understand why everyone was leaving, so I figured something had happened. Once I reached the commons, I got the text from my brother, and he told me there had been explosions at the finish line. I found out Park Street T station was closed, and shortly after I got another text from him stating it was bombs. He then kept sending me information updates as I tried to reach Charles/MGH T station, which was still open, and even led a couple of out-of-state marathon participants to the station, and then directed them on where to go once they got off, as I was getting off at Harvard and they were getting off at Porter, one stop later. I got to my clinic, constantly seeing updates from my brother, including a suspicious package found at Harvard Square T station…while I was there waiting for a bus. Got to the clinic ok, and found out they were closing themselves down to anymore visitors to help accept more people injured in the blast as Mass General and Tufts were getting overwhelmed. While in the waiting room, I finally saw, for the first time, the videos of the blasts and I was dumbfounded. I could see my office building in the background. I did what I needed to do and managed to get home, but very late, and then I was trying to process what had just happened only a couple blocks from me.
Did the city come together after this huge mess and even a year on, it still feels that way. The marathon is next Monday this year, but I'll be in the Brookline area near Back Bay today, so I may see what's going on, if anything. There have definitely been a lot of Boston Strong pins, t-shirts, and everything around. I even got a few from one of my professors and I may put them on my backpack.
Next Pokemon game(s): Pearl
Last finished Pokémon game: Shield
Other games: Skyrim Special Edition (Switch), Spyro Reignited Trilogy (Switch & PS4), Okami (Switch & PS4)
Other gaming goals: completing a Living Pokedex (minus some event Pokes) and going through at least 1 game per generation