“My dear son Martin has died from injuries sustained in the attack on Boston. My wife and daughter are both recovering from serious injuries. We thank our family and friends, those we know and those we have never met, for their thoughts and prayers. I ask that you continue to pray for my family as we remember Martin. We also ask for your patience and for privacy as we work to simultaneously grieve and recover. Thank you.” -Bill Richard on the death of his son, Martin Richard, 8
Martin is a boy. Looks like an all-American boy. Cheering on his father at the Boston Marathon with his mother and sister.
The world is still a curious, sometimes scary and exciting place when you are 8-years-old.
At 8-years-old, it seems you can play outside for hours on end.
Ride your bike.
Maybe catch tad poles at the pond.
Maybe play Wii at a friend’s house.
Or maybe watch a movie at home with your little sister. Or maybe argue with her. Or maybe help her with her homework. (Maybe I said! haha)
When you’re 8, the world is still a magical place. Adults seem like giants. And you are just starting to feel confident enough to speak up for yourself, or try out for the baseball team, or ride the biggest roller coaster at Six Flags.
At 8-years-old, girls are still gross, Dad is still bigger than life and Mom’s arms are the warmest, safest place you could ever possibly be.
When you’re 8, the world is still a magical place.
A place where you rely on adults to take care of you.
A place where you rely on adults to make sense of things that don’t make sense to you.
At 8 years old, your entire life is ahead of you. So much to look forward to! Your parents are proud of everything that you do and they bask in the glow of every new accomplishment: A’s on your report card, striking the batter out, saying please and thank you without being reminded.
“Martin was a true, authentic believer of peace.” ~Martin’s teacher
At 8-years-old, you are just a kid.
The adults in the world are the ones “running things.” They will surely keep things in order until it’s your turn to become an adult. And then maybe you can run things too.
At 8-years-old, the adults in the world are counted on to make the world a safe place.
Where you can run around and have fun.
And be 8 years old.
