Mom is Boston Strong

This day has been full of emotion for me, as I'm sure it has been for many Americans as the Boston Marathon takes off.  Last year, my mom was caught up in the chaos as bombs went off near the finish line of the Boston Marathon.  Luckily, she wasn't too close to the finish line and she was safe, but as I watched the news unfold I couldn't help but feel helpless and scared as I pictured Mom there alone.  She was running with a blind runner as a guide without a phone and no way to contact us and let us know she was safe.  When we did hear from her, she wasn't allowed into her hotel because of how close it was to the race.  Her phone was stuck at the finish line in her bag, quarantined by the police.  My dad didn't know what was going on, her friends running with her were all separated.  She had never felt so far away as she did then.

My mom never got to cross the finish line in Boston.  My dad, the supportive and loving husband that he is, created a finish line back home for her to cross.  She ran the last bit of the race she so desperately deserved to finish and was awarded her medal with cheers and applause from family members and friends.  However, I know that it wasn't quite the closure she needed, so I wasn't at all surprised when she told me that she was going to do the race again.  

I'm proud to say that my mom is Boston Strong.  Today she faced her fears and nervousness and crossed that finish line for good.  While I probably had more fears today than she did, I'm so glad for a mother who shows me how to be brave.  I'm sure it was hard going back to a place that caused so much panic and fear.  I'm sure there was that tiny bit of anxiety that something could go wrong again today.  Yet she did it!  And she rocked it!  My mother is an amazing woman and I'm grateful to be her daughter.

Life can be scary, but we can't let our fears keep us from living!  Have faith, God is always watching.