I.M.120 Helping you to BE YOUR BEST SELF

I remember watching my first Boston Marathon. It was 1980. I was a student at Tufts University. I couldn't understand what all the fuss was about a marathon. Watching a bunch of skinny dudes with numbers on their tank tops jogging by didn't seem like a bunch of fun, but my friends were Bostonians and insisted it was an experience not to be missed. 

It was a perfect New England spring day. Deep blue sky spotted with fluffy clouds. A light breeze.  I couldn't believe the crowd. Eight deep in some sections. Everybody was smiling, talking to each other. Every now and then a cheer would emanate from the crowd in appreciation of some individual's effort on the race course. The runners themselves were colorful and diverse, all committed to taking a big slice of life. An old man near me tripped on the curb cutting his head open. I remember stopping the bleeding and holding his head off the pavement while waiting for help to arrive. My friend noticed and said that I would be a good doctor someday.

They say as time goes by memory of facts and details can fade, but the memory of emotions remains strong. It's been 35 years. I remember that day being one of those "God is in his heaven and all is right with the world" kind of days. I felt warmth, freedom, happiness, joy, innocence. I felt the energy of an entire city, the people that make it come to life.

My friends were right. The Boston Marathon is more than a race, it is a celebration of Boston, it's people, it's history, and by extension it is a celebration for all Americans. Patriots Day. 

Today the race will run again. Two years after cowards tried to destroy love with a crude bomb. Try to blow away freedom, blow away joy, crush the spirit of the city and her people. They failed. Those individuals and families that have suffered loss have shown us the power of resilience. 

Today we remember the fallen. Then the gun will go off, the race will begin, at Fenway they will yell "play ball."  The fellowship, love, joy and freedom that is our birthright will be manifest. We will defeat evil by being Boston strong together.

To your best health,

Dr. Stephen Petteruti