Healing Phase Has Started for North Reading Residents

After a terrible week of tragedy and tears, North Reading residents are ready to gain closure. That started with the capture of the second bomber.

"Such a happy day, the beginning of the healing phase," North Reading resident and marathon runner Thor Kirleis said. "When I first saw on television that we nailed the second suspect, it was like a heavy weight lifted off of my shoulders. Knowing so many people in the running community, many of which were far closer than I when this evil went down, and having it in our own backyard, during the Boston Marathon, no less, an event to which I am eternally connected, the seriousness of what transpired hit me very hard."

Kirleis went on to say that he was still trying to process the enormity of the events on Friday morning, even after the first suspect was announced dead.

"By the end of the day, things changed. Seeing BPD, the FBI, and all the other police organizations celebrate when they finally caught the second suspect, I felt the weight of the world lift from my shoulders," he told Patch. "It was the first time since crossing the finish line on Monday that I smiled a true genuine smile."

He ran with several friends Saturday morning to get together and process the week's events. They ran by Boston Marathon Race Director Dave McGillivray's house, "in a show of solidarity that we are Boston Strong!" 

We asked residents how they felt about the capture of the second bomber on Facebook Friday night, and this is what they had to say:

Tanya Saggese, Suzanne Livingston Shaffer and De Bellofatto Keimach all said that they feel relieved.

Linnea Salie-Casino said, "Hopeful!"

"Boston stands strong," Madeline Hastie said.

"Please, let's not forget to stay united, we all have our opinions, but we can't let the coming storm of opinions rip us apart," Nanci Grenier Boutet said. "We had such a great united force of power... We can't fragment now. Allow everyone their opinion. This is America."

Daniel Collins said, "Proud."

"Jubilant," Diane Courtney said.