We opened our doors this morning for the first time in over a week. We are back in business as a Sanctuary in the City whose doors are open to all: a house of refuge, beauty, prayer, peace and reflection. Boylston Street will soon resemble its old self: a churning, multicultural vessel of cafes and shops, tourism and business, majestic architecture and American history. But we have been changed. We witnessed an act of violence, the loss and altering of life. We experienced terror, horror, evacuation and occupation. But we have also witnessed the absolute strength of the human spirit, the endurance of everyday people. We have been graced by uncommon courage and high compassion. We have experienced the uniting of a nation because one of her cities was in pain.
Next year they will run. We will cheer and celebrate. Things will appear “normal” … but we will never forget.