Regular readers know my daughter runs Marathons. Her last scheduled Marathon was the New York Marathon, where she was a numbered runner. Sadly, that Marathon got canceled due to Hurricane Sandy.
We have various traditions we follow. We always carbo-load the night before, and this year was no difference. Erin’s entire family and her running mate/boyfriend joined us.
The next day we have breakfast at Chet’s Diner. The entire Chet’s “family” makes over Erin, and Erin brims with pride.
We drop her off at the Hopkinton State Park, where she rides a school bus to the start.
While she prepares to start, her “support team” makes its way to designated stops. These stops are selected based on our ability to get in and out of the area swiftly. We met her in Framingham, Wellesley (twice), and then rush to greet her at the finish.
We were standing next to the Lenox Hotel waiting for Erin when the explosions occurred (see photo). We were on the Boylston side closest to the second explosion. The first one seemed almost celebratory…until the smoke. Then the second one created panic as people just turned and ran.
From the New York Times
I sent out a tweet…more to let the world know badness was underway at the marathon. Note the time…2:50PM.
Explosions at end of #BostonMarathon
— Gary L Kelley (@glkelley) April 15, 2013
Two of the family stayed together….and walked to Fenway Park. Erin’s boyfriend and I stayed in the area, because we needed to find Erin (daughter/runner) who was still on the course.
Exeter Street #BostonMarathon twitter.com/glkelley/statu…
— Gary L Kelley (@glkelley) April 15, 2013
We had parked under the Prudential Tower (Pru), and moved to that area to find Erin. Calls and texts would not go through, we were communicating via Facebook and Twitter. We quickly learned everyone was OK, and then needed to reunite.
Shelter in place order at Prudential. #BostonMarathon
— Gary L Kelley (@glkelley) April 15, 2013
We were forced to “shelter in place” in the Pru (at Saks – if ever there was a nice place to shelter in place it’s Saks)….and then were hurriedly tossed out on Huntington Ave (apparently concern for another device.) My cell battery went dead. We did find out Erin was off to connect with the others near Fenway Park.
Erin’s boyfriend and I walked from the Pru to Fenway Park, and then on to Brighton where my son could pick us up (cars were not being allowed into Boston.) So…we walked from the Pru to Brighton….roughly 2.2 miles.
The blasts were very loud, and shook the area. The smell was that of gunpowder. Erin’s boyfriend, being taller, saw bloody things a young man shouldn’t see…and that’s very sad.
For those following my day’s events…my family and I are all safe and walked out of Boston.This is a horrible day for Boston.Thanks.
— Gary L Kelley (@glkelley) April 15, 2013
My car was retrieved from the Pru Tuesday night (free parking!). First responders were amazing (swift, and overwhelming response)…. I had 7 phone calls, 17 text messages, and 26 Facebook messages when I got power to my phone around six Monday night. And gave one interview myself to a press outlet following my twitter feed.
As a father, I am worried about the scar tissue this is having on my family. To address, I orchestrated a family dinner Tuesday night (the next night)….gave them all a chance to talk about it from their perspective. We also got together Saturday night.
For all of us, it is about knowing there is a deeper connection and support network within our family. We all know it, and at a time like this it is so necessary to reinforce.
Family will get us through this.
And Erin is already planning her return.
