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We Are Not Heroes: It’s Just About… Life.

April 20, 2013 By markbrodinsky 4 Comments

forum restaurant“We were at the wrong place at the wrong time, but we did the right thing”.

Talk about doing more and becoming more than maybe you ever thought you could. That’s a quote from one of the staff members of Forum, the restaurant at the center of the Boston Marathon bombing on Monday.

I’ve said it before about this blog, it’s not about the news of the day, but I will stop in my tracks anytime to share a story of inspiration, about human beings helping one another, this is such a story.

The story comes from Rock Center, with Brian Williams. I do enjoy watching that program, but normally only the last ten minutes, because toward the end of the broadcast the producers go around the globe to find the quirkiest, most eye-catching, or outside-the-box stories of the week. It always leaves me smiling. Obviously last night was different, but the story, while not putting a smile on my face, left one on my heart.

I’m sharing the link at the bottom of the blog, but here are some highlights. It is the story of the staff at Forum, a restaurant only 200 yards from the marathon finish line. The staff watched the pure excitement of the day turn into a scene of horror, right before their eyes, as the second bomb exploded… directly in front of the restaurant.

“Oh my G-d, is this really happening”?, said Johsua Glover, assistant manager at the restaurant. It was really happening, but these employees, in the middle of the chaos, did not run. They stayed. They did what they could to help people. Grabbing ice, towels… and looking outside in shock, awe and bewilderment at the carnage.

Julie Weeden, a former employee of Forum, had come back to the restaurant just for Patriots Day. She decided to work one more time, at the place she called the best restaurant and bar in Boston. She was right in the middle when the blast happened, “You just go and do what you can to help people. There was so much blood, you know, and you don’t stop and think, you don’t give yourself a chance to realize what is actually going on”. One of Julie’s friends, Heather, was injured in the blast. She had come to see Julie that day, only because Julie was working again at the bar. In tears, Julie now says she feels guilty… guilty because her friend came to see her… and now Heather was undergoing surgery to re-attach her foot. You can understand Julie’s feelings. When someone you love is hurt, body, heart, or soul, you want to take that hurt for yourself.

Joshua Glover says his most enduring image is of one of the bartenders, “He was sitting on the floor, he had an injured woman’s head on his lap. He was just stroking her hair, comforting her. And to me that was all she needed. In a horrible time, that was a beautiful thing to see. Just something so simple”.

It is simple. It is what we, as Americans, we as people, we as humans do for each other in a time of need. You don’t turn and run, you stop and help. It’s what we’ve always done, what we will always do. No one on a mission of terror, on a campaign to cause pain and suffering will ever win. In his address to the nation last night, President Obama reinforced the message, “We have the courage, resilience, and spirit to overcome these challenges and to go forward as one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

We are all in this together. We all live this journey called life and we deserve for this journey to be all it can be. How dare someone else try and steal our dreams. Those who have no heart can never steal ours, we will overcome every time. The power of love, of humanity, is incomparable, unbeatable, unstoppable.

Joshua’s quote is worth repeating. When asked if the staff of the restaurant consider themselves heroes, he replied, “We were at the wrong place, at the wrong time, but we did the right thing”.

Heart over horror, every time.

Want to be uplifted this weekend? Then take eight minutes of your life and take a look at the link below:
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/21134540/vp/51603262#51603262
(If you can’t view the link, go to www.nbcnews.com)

Until next time, thanks for taking the time.

Mark

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Comments

  1. Stuart says

    April 20, 2013 at 8:33 am

    As always Mark, reading your blog is great way to start my day!

    Reply
    • Mark Brodinsky says

      April 20, 2013 at 8:46 am

      Thank you Stuart. Thank you for choosing to pay attention and for sharing. Have a great day!

      Mark

      Reply
  2. Lesley says

    April 21, 2013 at 7:47 pm

    Mark- In all the stories I have heard this week, have not heard about this and your blog always hits the right note.

    Reply
    • Mark Brodinsky says

      April 21, 2013 at 7:51 pm

      Great story Lesley, be sure to click the link and watch the interview.
      And…. Thanks!

      Mark

      Reply

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Love seeing new blogs hit the ground running like this one (by a dad no less), but I also urge anyone vaguely interested in blogging to stay tuned, I am. Good luck on your journey – glad that I am along for the ride.

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Great blog Mark! I always appreciate reading what you have to say. You are very gifted and talented and hopefully someday you’ll not just blog, but write a book.

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I’m definitely along for the ride. We’ve all seen how much damage the written word can inflict. More positive writers are needed. And I love how you are using your personal experiences – those with your wife and children – and your gift of writing to open eyes and to inspire others.

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Very shortly this site will be famous amid all blogging and site-building users, due to it’s pleasant posts.

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Mark, You are truly a gifted writer and obviously, a special father and husband . Always a delight to read your words.

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From your first writing in 4th grade entitled “People” which was published in the school newspaper, you have always been able to write. Never more so than when you started “Caringbridge” and now your blog, everyone who reads says what a wonderful writer you are. Our DREAM for you is to become an author and encourage people every day. You are by the far the best and we hope and pray you reach your dream.

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Great piece. You are an inspiration!

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I love waking up and starting my day with my coffee and your blog! It a great way to start my day with positive uplifting thoughts!! It puts me in a positive frame of mind throughout the day and allows me to reflect on my personal life, make changes, and grow !!!

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With my busy schedule, there is (sadly) little time for reading. But I have two must-reads every time I come across them, the sports section and your blogs. Keep inspiring and following your dream!

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WOW!!! It Takes 2 is a must read for anyone who has known someone diagnosed with cancer or other life threatening disease. This is the real story of a family lead by an incredible woman, Debbie Brodinsky, who took radical steps to beat the breast cancer beast. The story is told by her husband, Mark Brodinsky, through journal entries he kept starting with diagnosis through one year cancer free. This author's unique ability to pour his heart out onto the page draws you in from the beginning and holds you until the very end.

Thanks to Mark and Debbie Brodinsky for this gift...I have a new perspective on what it means to be a breast cancer survivor. You are a hero, Debbie Brodinsky!

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September 25, 2013

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This book gives a heartfelt, in depth description of what it is like to go through breast cancer with the one you love. It is beautifully written and I felt as though I was living it with them! I highly recommend this book!

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In It Takes 2, Mark Brodinsky windows us into his world where his wife, the cancer patient, is not the only victim. Part journal, part roadmap, It Takes 2 goes to the real humanity of facing the mortality of one's better half. Mark's candid perspective, love, and fierce intention resonate with hope in a story which is about much more than cancer. Mark himself is perhaps the most heroic character for the way he appreciates this life and so many of us in it...as he says, "thanks for caring."

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September 24, 2013

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It Takes Two: A Spouse's Story by Mark Brodinsky should be read by every person who is experiencing serious illness or injury or by a loved one of someone who is experiencing either of those situations. The book is an eloquent testament to the power of love and the healing energy derived from the belief that things will get better. There is not one word of "poor me" from the author or his wife who suffered breast cancer and the radical surgery she elected to have to beat the cancer. Rather, the book is a celebration of the courage displayed by them both in seeing it through.

The book also encourages readers to speak and write down their true feelings and be validated in them. John Mackovic writing in the Palm Springs, CA Desert Sun on November 2, 2013 quoted author and artist Doe Zantamata who said, " To be happy, you don't have to do anything new. You just have to remember how to believe again...Believe everything good is possible. Believe in your dreams. Believe in people. Believe in love. But most of all...believe in yourself." The author, his wife, their family and extended family and friends never stopped believing in his wife's recovery, and I think, in themselves. Read this book and believe.

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This book is a must read for anyone with a family member with breast cancer. It takes you through the spouse's perspective from diagnosis to recovery. Mark journaled his wife's journey and put all of his emotions out there. It is beautifully written and inspiring to anyone going through breast cancer. Thank you, Mark for sharing Debbie's story.

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October 23, 2013

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A friend recommended this book. This was a great perspective of a man standing beside his partner and passing along to the reader fear, hope, useful information and a broader story than his own. I loved Vinnie the tattoo artist. This is a great book. Thanks for sharing, Mark and "thanks for caring"

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This book is a must read. What sets this book apart from other books about surviving breast cancer is that it is told by the husband and his point of view, not from the survivor. At times sad, at times poignant but even through the worst of it you can always feel the love he has for his wife, her strength and the strength of their extended family and friends. The posts that are included from their friends and family lets you really into the heart and strength of the family. I would recommend this book to anyone who is currently going through this, whether you are the person or the caregiver. I also recommend this book to anyone who has a friend that has been or is currently going through their fight now. It was an eye opener for me.

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There isn't a shortage of books about breast cancer, but most are written from the perspective of the person who has battled cancer or a physician or other expert. What an enlightening experience to read about breast cancer from a husband and caregiver's perspective! Not only does the author give us insight into his wife's experience and emotions, but he openly shares and reveals his love, compassion, support, and, yes, sometimes anger at the disease as he stands by his wife's side during their journey to beat the beast. Your story may not be the same, but I guarantee if you have a loved one battling cancer, you won't go wrong reading It Takes 2.

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From the moment I opened this book I never stopped reading. Mark invites the reader to come along on this journey that his family went through. I cried, laughed and learned so much. This book will give comfort and knowledge to those going through similar situations. Most importantly, Mark and his family never give up. They get knocked down and get right back up. They fought cancer together and with their strength, determination and will to prevail... They do!

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