A Good Friday

 Today is Good Friday and though it retains its solemnity, I ushered it in with more celebration than I am accustomed. After a prayerful beginning, I signed into the Boston Athletic Association at Hynes Auditorium to pick up my bib. The line to enter was long but the pace of entry was quite quick. It was an international gathering with people from Canada, France, Germany, Switzerland, Columbia, and I was next to a woman from the South Shore. She is a doctor and we laughed about everything as we marveled at the smooth operations and the excitement of the gathering. It turns out that we are only a few numbers apart in our bib numbers.

People were telling their stories, some quite incredible, some quite noble. The marathon pulled together a community of goodwill, runners from across the country and world to enter one of the most prestigious races in the world. The volunteers were cheerful and ready to help with any question. The spirit was one of celebration.

As I entered the Expo, I noticed a wall that listed the names of each participant. It was like the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that listed the names on a lengthy wall. I found my name near the center bottom and took a few photos. The Expo booths offered massages, photo ops, shoes and shoe products, attire, and all sorts of exercise equipment. I didn't stay that long because I had to get down to Fenway Park to take in the Opening Day of the Red Sox.

I met Linda from Boston Healthcare for the Homeless and Jane formerly from Eastern Bank and we were escorted up the elevator through the VIP section to John Hancock Suite 3. We had seats overlooking first base and an indoor suite stocked with plentiful food, snacks, and drinks. I made sure not to have any meat products and I kept hydrated.

The suite was for people who raised a certain amount of money for charities. The runners were quite interesting people. One man worked at Massachusetts General Hospital for years, another was a social worker from Lahey Clinic, and one man was a bit nervous because this was the second time he was running, but his first time was twenty-six years ago. 

The game was in honor of Jackie Robinson who had his number retired across Major League Baseball. All the players wore #42 and no one will every wear 42 again. Mo Vaughn who last wore the number for the Red Sox threw out the first pitch. The game itself was without energy and the Red Sox lost 8-4. We left after the sixth inning because the Red Sox were not hitting and we wanted to see the some of the Expo. 

We walked down to the finish line, but I did not cross it. I walked around it so I can finish it fresh on Monday. I am going to be exhausted. The conversations with people were fascinating. I wore my clerics and religious people would wish me a Good Friday. I also wore a Washington Senators classic jacket so others were intrigued with Major League Baseball history. I wore my blue fedora, which received a lot of comments. All these conversations were full of joy. 

It was certainly a Good Friday, and I was home in time for services.

Now, online I have received $28,581 in contributions, and I sent a few checks to the charity last week, which should bring the total over $29,000. My goal is to reach $30,000.