A Love Letter to Bean Town

   A perfect, 50 degree day to run the historic Boston Marathon.  Those being honored are from Newtown, Connecticut.
  Towards the end of the race, two bombs went off.  Three are dead, including an 8 year old boy.  Over a hundred are hurt, some with devastating injuries.  On a beautiful spring day in Bean Town, in a race dedicated to raising money for charitable causes.
  I'm not a city dweller but I could live in Boston.  When we were stationed at Hanscom AFB in Bedford, Massachusetts we weren't far from Boston's busy center.  Lots to do, great food, and fun, hard working people who love their sports teams, professional and collegiate.  We had so much fun there.
  I remember attending a military retirement ceremony aboard the USS Constitution.  Being escorted and piped aboard Old Ironsides, surrounded by men and women in their Dress Whites, on a perfect day in Boston.  I held onto my hat and smoothed down my dress as I walked across the plank with my husband, so handsome in his Mess Dress.
  I remember one St. Patrick's Day, standing outside the Purple Shamrock, being offered a shoe box by a pretty, laughing Irish girl.  Inside the box-a bottle of whiskey.  Why not?  It was St. Patty's Day in Boston!  
  I remember buying a Red Sox sweatshirt because it was cold, and I was in Fenway Park on Opening Day in April.  I ate a sausage on a bun, slathered in grilled vegetables.  I remember still how good it was!  And we beat the despised Yankees that day!
  I remember being in a wheel chair, after I had my torn ACL operated on.  I knew I was in very good hands though.  On my doctor's wall was a photo of the Boston Celtics.  My doctor was standing to the left of Celtic great Kevin McHale.
  I remember the anniversary after I'd had my surgery.  My recovery was going far slower than expected, I was in physical therapy twice a week for months.  To lift my spirits, my husband booked a weekend to celebrate our anniversary.  It was at the Boston Copley Square Hotel.
  How surreal it was to watch the television coverage today and to recognize the places we loved. Instead of a day filled with accomplishment, fun and excitement...well, I won't forget the scenes I saw today.
  Boston, you are one amazing city and your people are wicked tough.  My thoughts and prayers are with you today and always.