Twelve years later, it’s still as painful as ever for Delores Grant, grandmother of the late Boston police officer Dennis “DJ” Simmonds.
“It doesn’t get any better. It’s very rough for me today,” said Grant, whose grandson was injured in the aftermath of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings and died a year later.
“He has nieces and nephews now and I pray and wish that he was here to enjoy them.”
Still, there is a rhythm to the mourning for those impacted by the events of April 15, 2013, on Boylston Street.
Tradition helps where it can.
Grant, who on Tuesday joined a procession of the family members of victims of the Marathon bombings, said each year she asks for prayers for her late grandson at church and makes regular visits to a playground in Randolph built in 2021 in his honor.
She and her family make a point of talking about memories of her grandson.
“We always say, ‘DJ would do this,’ and ‘DJ would do that,’” she said.
“For me this month is very hard.”
A small group silently walked with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu to the music of a single bagpiper, visiting the memorials at the two sites of the bombings on Boylston Street for a pair of wreath ceremonies.
It was a somber, soggy morning under grey skies.
It was also the latest recognition of One Boston Day, when residents are encouraged to direct their energies toward acts of kindness.
The anniversary has become a kind of a reunion for the people whose lives were changed forever that day, Wu said after the procession.
“They’re incredible people, and every year we get the chance to just check in and see how the last year has been in everyone’s lives,” Wu said.
“These are incredibly strong, loving leaders in our community who use their strength every year and throughout the year to make our community better and to bring people together.”
Tradition is also a comfort to runner Alett Mekler, of Sudbury.
As she has several times over the years to mark the anniversary, she met up with a friend and jogged a path Tuesday morning through the streets of Back Bay that, when viewed on the running app Strava, spells out the word “BOSTON.”
“Every year on this date I don’t want to forget what happened,” said Mekler, 54, who ran the marathon in 2013 but was not harmed in the blasts.
She was wearing her blue-and-gold jacket from that year as she dropped off a bouquet of tulips at the site of a marathon memorial sculpture on Boylston.
“This was my Christmas, and my Christmas was taken away from me, and so many people suffered,” said Mekler.
“So on this day it’s important to take a moment and remember the lives lost and those affected.”
For Kevin Wisehart, of Norwood, it was his fourth time playing bagpipes for an event to honor those lost or wounded in the Marathon bombings.
It’s his own way to give back, said Wisehart, who is also a bagpipe instructor and teaches lessons to the Greater Boston Firefighters Pipes and Drums band.
“Makes me feel like I’m helping in some way,” he said after the ceremonies.
“Life goes on, but there’s always a scar.”
Spencer Buell can be reached at [email protected].
Follow him @SpencerBuell.
image source from：https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/04/15/metro/one-day-boston-ceremonies/
