Ups and Downs
Today one of my classes didn't have a lecture, so to try to kickstart some healing I took the advice of a friend and went into Boston. Not just any spot in Boston, though...if I had druthers I'd probably have gone to Downtown Crossing, but I knew in my heart that wouldn't cut it.
I went instead to Copley Square. That's right, to where the finish line of the marathon was. Just to walk around a little and observe.
What I saw was a city that was close to being back to normal, if it wasn't already. It was close to noontime but Boylston Street was loaded with vehicles as if it was the evening rush hour. You could still see some of the now-faded marathon finish line. It looked like any repairs that needed to be made to storefronts, etc., had been completed. What had been a ghost town a week ago, based on the reports I'd been hearing, was pretty much back to the level of activity I remembered the last time I visited Copley, even if that does go back a few years.
It did indeed help a little bit to be there. To me, it looked as though Boston has indeed carried on. I didn't see much in the way of happy faces -- the mood does still seem somber -- but it definitely looked as though those who work and live there are at least trying to move ahead with their lives.
I didn't stay long at Copley Square, although I could have spent a couple of hours if I wanted to (the actual time was closer to half an hour). I saw what I felt I had to in order to start getting over the images of the bombing in my mind.
The only real downshot was that I wanted to try to get some interaction involved in this...just grab a light lunch somewhere because I always have issues with the adequacy of the snacks I bring. That went nowhere. Observing and interacting are two different things, and I'm finding it really really hard to do the latter because I still feel that my guard has to be up, and probably much more than it was before.
I went instead to Copley Square. That's right, to where the finish line of the marathon was. Just to walk around a little and observe.
What I saw was a city that was close to being back to normal, if it wasn't already. It was close to noontime but Boylston Street was loaded with vehicles as if it was the evening rush hour. You could still see some of the now-faded marathon finish line. It looked like any repairs that needed to be made to storefronts, etc., had been completed. What had been a ghost town a week ago, based on the reports I'd been hearing, was pretty much back to the level of activity I remembered the last time I visited Copley, even if that does go back a few years.
It did indeed help a little bit to be there. To me, it looked as though Boston has indeed carried on. I didn't see much in the way of happy faces -- the mood does still seem somber -- but it definitely looked as though those who work and live there are at least trying to move ahead with their lives.
I didn't stay long at Copley Square, although I could have spent a couple of hours if I wanted to (the actual time was closer to half an hour). I saw what I felt I had to in order to start getting over the images of the bombing in my mind.
The only real downshot was that I wanted to try to get some interaction involved in this...just grab a light lunch somewhere because I always have issues with the adequacy of the snacks I bring. That went nowhere. Observing and interacting are two different things, and I'm finding it really really hard to do the latter because I still feel that my guard has to be up, and probably much more than it was before.
Replies
It was a big step you took, going to Copley. Good for you. You stepped outside your comfort zone! I am sure the faces around that space are rather somber. It\'s only been less than two weeks, after all. I think it\'s great that the area is reopen and back to being a bustling crossroad for so many. That helps healing. Of course, what is normalcy there now? Probably having your guard up..I bet you aren\'t alone in that. Again, don\'t beat yourself up for it. It\'s so fresh, still. Time heals. Boston strong!