The annual Boston Marathon is fast approaching, and I feel as
though this year's turn out will be the greatest we have ever
seen. There are not many moments in which I have enjoyed living
in Massachusetts, thus the cold weather and annoying winters, but
that day last year, changed my life as well as many others'
forever. I remember that day, I was going for a run, probably
pretending I was in the marathon myself, when I arrived home to
see my parents staring blanky at the television screen. I
remember a wave of concern washing through my body as I asked if
everything was alright. Of course, all I got in return was blank
stares and wide eyes. It was at that moment, that I averted my
eyes to what they were watching. On the screen there was a
display of people screaming, running around, and tears. It was
complete chaos and at that moment, I found out that someone had
bombed the marathon. I too now had a numb expression upon my face
as I let it sink in. Not only did I have friends that were
racing, but there were children there watching their relatives
race, excited to see them cross the finish line. Those children
would now be scarred forever with images of explosions dancing
around in their too young to comprehend minds. People had trained
for this event for years, it was supposed to be a day to
celebrate them, their accomplishments, and how far they have made
it, but it was replaced with terrorism. The days after this
tradjedy took place, a weird, almost deathly silence seemed to
take over Massachusetts. There was nobody roaming around outside,
cell phone services were shut off in many places, and there was
an eerie quiet in the air that just didn't seem to feel
right. Everyone was sitting in front of their TVs waiting, and
watching this event unfold before our eyes. I remember a friend
and I sat and watched the news for nine straight ours, shaking,
and biting our nails. We didn't want to be home alone while
our parents were at work, even though we were freshman in high
school. It was not long after, that everyone started to jump into
action. Suddenly, the whole country was involved, even other
countries. There was a whirlwind of photos of suspects and
evidence taking over every social media website available. The
hashtags #Prayforboston and #Bostonstrong seemed to become a
second language to everyone. It was crazy seeing the amount of
help and support everyone was offering us, it almost felt
warming. Every day on the news all we hear is bad things and
about bad people, but this event made me realize, just as I was
about to give up my faith in the human race, that there
are extraordinary people out there. The day it happened,
the moment it happened, random strangers jumped to action,
running to help people they have never met in their entire life.
They could have been fleeing the scene, but these people stayed.
they stayed and saved lives of people who might not be here today
if it weren't for them. We had everybody on our side, and it
seemed as though the state was starting to wake up. I will never
forget the day that the last bomber was caught. My neighbors all
ran outside, celebrating. Every resident in Boston flooded the
streets and the common, singing, chanting, and celebrating the
fact that we won. We pulled through this dark time, and we were
indeed "Boston Strong". The whole world seemed to be
liften off our shoulders, and the amount of smiles that were on
peoples' faces, nothing could compare. What really changed my
life, was seeing that everyone put aside their differences to
help. We had police from all around helping out with the
investigation, we had other states involved and even other
countries. For once in my life, I felt as though we all came
together, we were all one. I know that day, that I gained an
immense amount of pride in my state, country, and in myself.
Seeing all of these people so willing to make a difference, truly
inspired me. It inspired me to go about living my life to make
other's smile and enjoy the time they have here. Although
three beautiful lives were lost, and many were injured, i feel as
though this event made us stronger. We really showed what America
is all about.