It has been a tradition, for as long as I can remember, to watch the Boston Marathon along the route. As a child I remember standing expectedly in downtown Natick, with my hand outstretched, hoping a runner would give me a high five.
These days, our spot has moved down the route a few miles to Ashland, and my love for the event has only grown. The Boston Marathon brings out neighbors and friends we haven’t seen in months due to the cold New England weather. And while I no longer stand with my hand outstretched, I have come to appreciate all the individuals and stories that pass through our town.
Today, someone tried to steal all that is good about the Boston Marathon from us. I, and judging from my Facebook and Twitter feeds, and so many of my friends and connections are heartbroken about it. We are also angry, fearful, sad, nauseous, and stunned.
Looking at the photos I took, I’m having a hard time remembering what a beautiful morning we had. How the kids ran around with their friends. How I reminisced about waiting along the route as a child. How we reconnected with friends. How nice the spring sun felt on our shoulders. How inspired I was by the runners, soldiers and volunteer guides.
Before the explosions. Before I realized how many people we knew in the race. Before I received texts from friends asking me if we were okay. Before I heard one of the dead may be an eight year old child. Before my almost 8 year old daughter asked me if it was safe to go practice softball in the front yard because there might be an explosion there. Before I had to answer my son’s question “who did this?”
Before I was reminded how vulnerable we are.
Even as I write this, I feel incapable of doing the events of today justice. Words are failing me. I wish I had a happy, be strong way to wrap up this post. But it’s too soon. So I will end by sending my thoughts and prayers to anyone impacted today, especially to those who were injured or lost loved ones.
I am also sharing my favorite photos from today to remind myself that this morning was good. And next year’s marathon will be also.
Kristin Sundin Brandt 
Thank you for posting, Kristin. You are my running friend in Boston (I say this in quotes) so my thoughts immediately went to you when I heard the news today. My heartfelt prayers to everyone affected in big and little ways. Love and support from the Northwest.
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Thinking of you and your family. I, like many of your friends (listeners), are glad to hear you are safe.
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We here in Colorado are praying for the people of Boston. I do not understand our world, and do not know how to explain to my kids. I will hold my kids closer tonight.
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Thank you for writing on this I instantly thought of you when I heard the news. So glad you and your family are okay. Praying for those who aren’t and for all those that have lost their innocence due to tragedy.
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John Young in your 6th picture down is home safe in Salem with his family. I also have seen reports that Rick and Dick Hoyt (5th picture) are safe as well. Thank you for your wonderful pictures and your very well written sentiments.
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Thank you Kendra for the update!
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I am so glad you are safe. How wonderful that you got such great pics. They definitely help to show that there was a good part of today’s event also.
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Heartfelt and well written article. The wonderful pictures are just as touching. Thanks for sharing.
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Beautifully said Kristin. ❤
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When I heard this on the radio today, I instantly thought of your family. We appreciate your beautiful comments, and we are all praying for the people of Boston.
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Your pictures remind us of the hope and excitement that can never be curtailed. Thank you for your post. Beautifully put. And, so glad you are ok. You were one of the first people I thought of today as I knew you’d most likely be watching the marathon!
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Thought of you guys immediately – so glad you and the family are ok. Unsure what our family would do without your podcasts! Best wishes for mental recovery on this – I learned from your podcast a long time ago that when you see bad footage of accidents on the news just tell the kids ‘see all of the great people helping the hurt ones?’ There’s always helpers and we are thankful for them.
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This was beautifully written. Thank you Kristin.
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My heart is breaking for you, your family & everyone in & around Boston today. I went right to FB to see if you were online & ok. I don’t think anyone has words right now.
Thank you for sharing these pictures. It is important to hold onto the bright spots. Thank you for trusting us with your thoughts & feelings today.
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Kristin, thank you so much for writing this heartfelt post and sharing the amazing pictures of today’s race, to remind us of the spirit of the Boston Marathon. Thinking of you and your family and all of those impacted by the events of the day.
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As always when something happens late in the day on the east coast we often find out early in the morning in Hawaii. Today has been hard to see all the news reports and understand the senseless nature of this type of violence. Kristin thank you for the post and the photos, while I don’t know you personally, I thought of you, your family and friends. Thank you for the touching photos and showing us the true spirit of the Boston Marathon. God Bless and Aloha.
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Beautifully said!
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Well said, Kristin. I leave today to go to Boston to counsel those who were injured (crisis counseling). These events leave us in a state of muddled confusion that grows to anger as we form our questions (many of which will go unanswered). God Bless you, the families affected, and rest of Patriots who bravely will continue on. Glad that you and your family are okay!
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I first want to say that I am so happy that you are able to bring some good to this terrible day.
I live all the way accross the country in Oregon, and I am having a very hard time explaining and taking away the anxieties of my kids after this event. My oldest, 12, is pacing the house and and very nervous. He asked if the North Korean’s did this. My middle son, 7, asked me last night if we are going to was with Boston. My youngest, 5, asked if we are going to get bommed at our next race that we run on mothers day weekend.
My question to you is how are your children coping, and what do you tell them to help ease the pain?
God Bless,
Tish
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Bless you & thank you for posting. So grateful you & your family & friends are safe. My heart goes out to those that can’t say the same. Your photos are awesome…as always. Thank you…your post touched my heart.
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Hello. People have respect for those running. You have to qualify for the Boston. Kristen isn’t even close to running a full marathon.
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Jane – Suggesting I may want to run the Boston Marathon should not be taken as a sign of disrespect for those who qualified and ran. You may also not be aware that there are many ways to “qualify” to run – especially in the last wave of runners which is largely made up of individuals and groups raising funds for local charities. Towns along the marathon route, including the one we live in, are also provided numbers they can give to local runners who pledge to raise money for in-town charities such as our town’s education foundation.
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