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.
KayleighJean
Hale_Storm18
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Dishonored*
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