It has been very hard to put into context the events of school vacation week.\u00c2\u00a0 We have had to figure it out for ourselves and talk about it with the boys who would most certainly hear about it.\u00c2\u00a0 We did our best and they seem to be ok.\u00c2\u00a0 We talked about explosions and how people were hurt. \u00c2\u00a0We reassured them our friends who were running we ok.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0It was not until they were about to return to school that we talked about the fact that people died.\u00c2\u00a0 A boy the same age as Aidan, in a neighborhood where we have friends.\u00c2\u00a0 A boy known to many of Aidan\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s friends.\u00c2\u00a0 Aidan\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s first response was that it was amazing one three people died.\u00c2\u00a0 It could have been so much worse.\u00c2\u00a0 He was right.<\/p>\n
The response has been tremendous- everyone has risen to the occasion and has proven why we love our city so much.\u00c2\u00a0 There is solace in that.<\/p>\n
I have been thinking a lot about my visit to New Orleans two years ago.\u00c2\u00a0 Katrina ravaged parts of the city the year Aidan was born.\u00c2\u00a0 The levees broke the week of my birthday, my first birthday as a mom.\u00c2\u00a0 I remember how devastating it was and the death toll.\u00c2\u00a0 When I went to New Orleans I wanted to see the city for myself.\u00c2\u00a0 It felt weird, though, to take pictures and purchase a tour ticket to see the Lower Ninth Ward.\u00c2\u00a0 But I did.<\/p>\n
I had an awesome tour guide.\u00c2\u00a0 He repeatedly talked about \u00e2\u20ac\u0153my city\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and with such pride.\u00c2\u00a0 As we were about to go to the most devastated parts of New Orleans someone asked about feeling like paying for a tour of a devastated area was an awful thing to do (as we were all feeling) and would we be imposing to take pictures.\u00c2\u00a0 His response was something I will never forget.\u00c2\u00a0 He told us his city suffered, but has been rebuilding and getting stronger.\u00c2\u00a0 Sharing the story of his city helped people.\u00c2\u00a0 We would repeat the story and it would continue to remind people of what happened.\u00c2\u00a0 And buying a ticket supported the economy, and helped to rebuild the city.\u00c2\u00a0 It was a powerful message of picking up and moving forward.\u00c2\u00a0 Remembering but rebuilding.<\/p>\n
The Mr. Rogers quote is also something I have thought a lot about- look for the people running to help.\u00c2\u00a0 The people who caused this could not have picked a worse place- there were medical tents right there with the best trained emergency workers ready to help.\u00c2\u00a0 Some who volunteered to help on their day off.\u00c2\u00a0 It was the best of humanity.<\/p>\n
It was a terrible day in Boston.\u00c2\u00a0 But the best of my city has shone brightly through.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It has been very hard to put into context the events of school vacation week.\u00c2\u00a0 We have had to figure it out for ourselves and talk about it with the boys who would most certainly hear about it.\u00c2\u00a0 We did … Continue reading