Boston Bombing Survivor: ‘For Our Guardian Angels, Let Them Hear Us Roar’

‘We choose this marathon Monday to show the world what Boston represents through our deeds and dedications’

"We would never wish the devastation and pain we have experienced on any of you. However, we do wish that all of you at some point in your lives feel as loved as we've felt over this last year. It has been the most humbling experience of our lives. We hope you feel all of the emotion we feel when we say thank you. To our fellow survivor community, what would we do without each other? We should have never met this way but we are so grateful for each other. We have shared our despair, sense of loss, and challenges as well as our hope, and gratitude and triumphs. We have been there for each other and we will continue to be there to pick each other up and celebrate milestones for years to come. Most of all, we'll cherish the friendships our families have forged with bonds of mutual admiration. And to those who continue to struggle through despair, ongoing medical care and prospect of heart wrenching surgical decisions, don't forget for a second we'll be there for you at a moment's notice. We will always remember our guardian angels. Lindsay, Sean, Crystal, and Martin. Whether we raise them as our children, knew them for years, met them once or only know them in spirit, we will carry them in our hearts. To their families know you'll never be alone and that the city stands beside you. We remember those who died as pieces of us, the intellectual charm of Lindsay, Sean's commitment to justice, Crystal's infectious smile and the childhood charm of Martin ... Peace, that will be the lasting message to us. We all know when historian writes about these events they will tell of the utter devastation that was brought upon our families and how four guardian angels came to be. But I also hope they will tell of the unfailing compassion and unity that followed. We no longer have to think philosophically about the human capacity of the human spirit, it is here in the city of Boston. Whether our families have been here for generations or recently called Boston home, we know we have written another chapter in a rich history of revolutionary people and take pride knowing we're part of something much larger than ourselves. In this spirit, we choose this marathon Monday to show the world what Boston represents through our deeds and dedications. For those of us who will ride and run, we will do so for those who are no longer with us. For a family member with cancer, for our great city, and for countless other causes. For those of us who will crowd the route, we'll embrace roles as motivators and emotional catalysts. And for our guardian angels, let them hear us roar. Let's show them they live on in our bonds of family, friendship and community. And in the infectious spirit that we'll feel on the third Monday in April for years to come. I'm so proud to be a Bostonian because I'm so proud to be connected to all of you."

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