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It was six months ago this week that the Marathon Bombing<\/a> happened. \u00c2\u00a0Half a year has passed, yet it still seems like it just happened. \u00c2\u00a0In the six months that have followed there have been fund raisers, updates about survivors and pre-trial hearings. \u00c2\u00a0There have been memorials and milestones. \u00c2\u00a0Time has passed but the pain is still very much there.<\/p>\n “Boston Strong”<\/strong> was the initial rally cry. \u00c2\u00a0Our city was not going to let anyone break our spirit. \u00c2\u00a0Boston Strong appeared on T shirts, banners, bracelets- anything and everything that could be merchandised. \u00c2\u00a0Some of the proceeds went to the One Fund<\/a>. \u00c2\u00a0I would like to think all of it, but I know better.<\/p>\n A few short months after the Marathon the Bruins were in the Stanley Cup Finals. Boston Strong was everywhere. \u00c2\u00a0And people were starting to tire of hearing and seeing our rally cry. \u00c2\u00a0Last night our beloved Red Sox won the ALCS. \u00c2\u00a0Boston Strong was everywhere again. \u00c2\u00a0Many have asked why and if it is appropriate to associate the Sox victory with the Marathon slogan.<\/p>\n I think it is a perfect fit. \u00c2\u00a0The Red Sox played at 11am the day of the Marathon. \u00c2\u00a0People were coming from Fenway to the finish line- this is a yearly tradition on Patriots Day. \u00c2\u00a0The season was two weeks old. \u00c2\u00a0We expected nothing of this team. \u00c2\u00a0Last year was the worst season generations had ever seen. \u00c2\u00a0We had a new manager, half of the roster was new, and our sell out streak was feared to be ending. \u00c2\u00a0The Sox canceled their game the night of the lockdown. \u00c2\u00a0Upon returning to Fenway, Ortiz, the unofficial Red Sox captain grabbed the microphone and \u00c2\u00a0gave his now infamous cry,<\/a>\u00c2\u00a0 “This is our F**ing city. \u00c2\u00a0Never Forget. \u00c2\u00a0Boston Strong.” \u00c2\u00a0The Red Sox went on to spend their season honoring first responders, survivors and families, raising money for the One Fund and, during the ALCS, the sister of the youngest victim sang with her parish the Star Spangled Banner.<\/p>\n They are the impossible team- scrappy, bearded, hardly known. \u00c2\u00a0But like our city, they were resilient, determined and worked hard day in and day out. \u00c2\u00a0They never gave up. \u00c2\u00a0They wanted to make us proud.<\/p>\n Millions of dollars were lost when businesses shut down in the aftermath of the marathon. \u00c2\u00a0For every play off game area businesses benefit. \u00c2\u00a0That is the gift of our local sports teams to our city.<\/p>\n The Sox gave us a reason to believe, an opportunity to give honor to those who deserved recognition, a reprieve from the trauma of that day. \u00c2\u00a0The Red Sox deserve the Boston Strong title. \u00c2\u00a0They made us all believe again that Boston is Strong.<\/p>\n Here’s to hoping a parade of duck boats will crossing the Marathon finishing line this month. \u00c2\u00a0It seems the only fitting end to this season- \u00c2\u00a0honor for the Sox, the Mayor and an opportunity for Boston to celebrate being Boston Strong.<\/p>\n A great story that echoes my sentiments- ESPN 10\/18\/2013<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It was six months ago this week that the Marathon Bombing happened. \u00c2\u00a0Half a year has passed, yet it still seems like it just happened. \u00c2\u00a0In the six months that have followed there have been fund raisers, updates about survivors … Continue reading ![\"IMG_4514\"](\"http:\/\/www.obriensr.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/IMG_4514-300x300.jpg\")
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