After the evens this past Monday at the Boston Marathon I
have been repeatedly reminded of my training for the Trauma Response Team. This
team is comprised of various mental health professionals. When there is a traumatic event the
team gets called in and they provided Psychological First Aid to those in
need. I recall I studied hard because
I knew when the day came it would be the real thing and I would need to rely on
my training. Well the day has come
for so many and I have to say I am incredibly impressed with all the people of
Boston. This was a spectacular
array of responders, from the trained police and EMTs, to individuals who had
just completed a marathon, including men in full military gear. It was heart wrenching but at the same
time we witnessed the greatness of so many as they cared for their fellow
humans. The tremendous response
saved many lives and gave us an example of who we should aspire to be in this
life.
My husband, sons and a friend were at Fenway and made it
onto the Green Line before the explosions occurred, they were on the train but
did not feel the blasts. I was unable to attend the game (not because of the
wheelchair) but was watching from home and my husband would text me pictures, as
to be part of the day’s activities.
When I saw it on the news my heart sank. He had just texted me a picture of mile marker 25. It would be very likely that they would
walk over after the game and cheer for the runners as they crossed the finish
line.
They were still around mile marker 25 when they heard the
news. Luckily they had parked near
his old office and could get to their car and out of the city before they
closed down the train. I was
calling and texting but could not reach them on either cell phone. Finally when my husband was a little
further onto the Mass Pike I was able to get through. My husband answered the phone, “Ah-oh, I guess Mom saw the
news. We are fine, on the Pike and
headed home.”
I had such complex feelings at that moment. I guess I would say relief and guilt
were predominant. However, that
wouldn’t compare to the emotions I would feel as my son grappled with feeling
guilty.
How do you explain to your eleven-year-old that it is okay
that he is safe and fine? This was
a surreal experience, in the true sense of the word. I said and did all the things I had learned and was able to
get to healing and moving on. Yet
I can’t help but shake that feeling I had when I was holding him as a newborn
on September 11, 2001. His world
will forever be changed. Then I
refocus on the lives of those who will tragically never be the same. My heart breaks for them. I had just a quick glimpse into their
world when I could not get in touch with my guys. This was the most anguish I have ever experienced. I cannot even imagine what the reality
of that would feel like. I pray I
never do.
I know a bit about terrorism from grad school, I actually
had to take a course titled Terrorism.
The whole premise behind it is simple; terrorize innocent people for
some gain on the part of the terrorist.
This is a fact that we as Bostonians, or Americans, will not
tolerate. The only way they win and get
their gain is if we become terrorized.
Fortunately we are much tougher than that, hence the Patriot’s Day
holiday.
I have no doubt that next year’s event will be bigger and
better because that is how we fight back against this weapon.
