They happen all the time, don't they? Terrible things. And it breaks your heart over and over. So maybe we'll take a moment to think about another Boston we know.
His books are ridiculous, aren't they? So pure and happy and impossible with their cheerful, honest police officers and wholesome families.
Here is an idea: find your way to Boston, and go to the public garden (I think that's where they are, I always get confused in Boston), and visit the duckling statues.
Image, courtesy Boston Discovery Guide.
They are really pretty great, and if you go with someone small they will feel strongly that the statues are, in fact, awesome. And they will be right. And then this part will be true, too; do you know what I mean? That for every awful thing we can somehow remember that there are also things that are really wonderful, and we can maybe celebrate those. I don't know what I mean exactly, just that maybe we can help tip the balance somehow.
Fond wishes and hopes for recovery going out to all you Boston people out there.
marcialerner.com 
Beautifully said Diamond.
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Perfect post for today. It made me want to go in search of the photos I have of both children (now grown with their own children) sitting on Mother Duck.
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another great picture book featuring downtown Boston in loving detail, including the main branch of the Boston Public Library (which is on the part of Boylston St that is now a crime scene), is:
Lost by David McPhail
About a bear who boards a snack truck in New Hamphire, falls asleep on board, and wakes in Boston.
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Thank you for this nice reminder.
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This is perfect. Perfect. A wonderful counter to the horror of yesterday. xo
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Thank you for the sweet post! As a Bostonian, it’s been a tough couple of days, but the city is so full of great things and wonderful people and I know we’ll pull through this.
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Thank you for the kind words–I grew up just outside the city, it’s still a very large part of my life, my family members were all (harmlessly and distantly) caught up in various parts of Thursday’s events, so last week was a big deal to me, and I was upset by some blogs or corners of the Internet that totally ignored it. It makes a huge difference to hear something like your thoughts.
To me your comments are very reminiscent of Mr. Rogers’ comment to “look for the helpers” and I also think, even if you’re skeptically minded, there is a lot to be said for celebrating light in the midst of darkness.
Anyway, I thought you’d appreciate this image: http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BITkeAECMAEagOt.jpg
And, in the spirit of your post, here’s a police officer bringing milk during the lockdown to a family with small children who’d run out.
http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BIVhoyJCMAAN2Q2.jpg
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Those are some awesome images, L, thanks for posting them.
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