Every year people ask - how can they not? The jackets are bright, vibrant colors and the BAA emblem is proudly featured on the front. “Did you run the marathon?” For the past 5 years I’ve answered “No I’m a volunteer.” Ultimately the excited smile leaves their face, not altogether, but you get the half smile and head nod saying “oh.” You can almost feel the pity in the air, like the next thing they say will be “I’m so sorry” But I’m not sorry, no I get the privilege of working the Boston Marathon and it is an because not just anyone is allowed to do it It really doesn’t bother me - I’m a volunteer – for the last 5 years (this will be my 6th) I’ve worked the Boston Marathon Finish Line Blanket Group and I’ve loved every minute of it. It’s a lot of work, physical even – we pull the mylar blankets from their boxes and line bike racks until they reach capacity and then we keep adding more. From the moment we get out of the meeting room at John Hancock at 10:30 until the first runners start coming in after noon, we are working hard. When the runners start trickling across the finish line, we wrap them in the blankets and welcome them to Boston. It is such an amazing experience, every year. We’ve had all sorts of finish line experiences – the year the wind whipped the blankets at the runners as we fought to wrap them; the year it was almost 90 degrees and runners were passing out from heat exhaustion; and then last year. Everyone knows what happened last year. It was one of those moments in your lifetime when you can tell someone “where you were when THIS happened.” It was horrible day for Boston and the rest of the world. It was a day that represented hate and anger and destruction. The Boston Marathon has always been an event that not only showcases ability, determination and strength, but also our willingness to help people and causes on Marathon Monday and people travel the world to be a part of it. The excitement at the finish line is so contagious it’s almost palpable - the screams of victory, the roar of the crowd and the feeling of accomplishment of the runners, families and volunteers make it one of my favorite places in the world. Last year was a nightmare and the things we saw at the finish line cannot be put into words. When the bombs went off everything just STOPPED for a brief moment the street was frozen and then everything changed. When you are faced with a moment like that there really isn’t one word to describe the feeling as it is so many emotions in one: FEARANGERSADNESSHELPLESSNESS and then in a second you react. I have always wondered what I would do if I was ever in situation like this and figured I would be one that froze in fear. Maybe I underestimated myself and the people I was with because when that moment happened and that second bomb went off we just reacted and in the long run we stayed because there were runners that needed us. We just did what we have done every other year; we helped the runners because that is what was needed. As the anniversary looms ahead, I have a lot of mixed feelings. I am so sad that something like this happened here in Boston, on Marathon Monday. I am sad that there will be people missing from the crowd and others that have been changed forever because of what happened last year. I am sad for the runners, the families and friends, and the city because one act of hate affects so many. I am hopeful that we will return this year, better and prouder than ever of a city that can remain Boston Strong. I will be there next Monday, at the finish line on Boylston Street. The street is the same as it was last year, but in so many ways it isn’t. As long as there are runners crossing the line, I know that I will be there to welcome them to Boston. So when someone asks me that question “did you run the Boston Marathon?” My answer will still be, as proud as ever, “no I’m a Volunteer”
Posted on: Mon, 14 Apr 2014 21:45:02 +0000
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