To Be in America

I've been scared at the thought about moving to Boston since I knew that was where my life would take me. I admit, I was excited, but oh so scared. My hometown is 500 people; there are that many people living in one apartment complex in Boston! I'm used to tractors driving down main highways, herds of cows ambling down the yellow line as a family rides behind them on a menagerie of horses, dirt bikes and 4-wheelers. I know most everyone who lives in my town and if they own a pet or not. My mom has their PO Box numbers memorized, and if you forget your wallet at home when you go to the gas station, it is okay, they'll take credit on your honesty. It's a small town, but I know how to live there.

I don't know how to live in Boston with its bustling streets with individual names and no grid system. I don't know how to navigate my way through a subway system or even find a grocery store in Boston; do they have a Broulims out there with shelves stocked with Best Western? Boston is as good as a foreign country to me. Until yesterday...

Last week, my future home hosted two bomb attacks. I say my future home because it is funny how much I have come to love a place that I've never even been to. I have completely fallen in love with their sports teams, I think the subway T has anamazing history, and have you seen their library? Really, it is huge! I flew into Boston once, but I've never really been there, but I love that little town more than I thought.

It broke my heart to see my future home come under attack, and all I wanted to do at first was turn to Steven and say, "Told you so! Boston is a scary place, and we can't move there because we'll die!"

I stopped at the grocery store the other day and saw the flag flying at half mast in honor of Boston's terror the day before. I was so touched by this huge flag being lowered for a city across the country, hundreds of miles away. I think that what it means to be an American: No matter what city you live in, what religion you are, what color your skin is, you always show love and respect for your neighbor.