My son's office is two blocks away...he's freaked. I'm freaked.

[Atman]

We were there yesterday. We took him to brunch in Harvard Square, his neighborhood, for his 25th birthday. He went to work today in Boston. It's his first "real" job since getting his Bachelors...he's been there about nine months. Now he's freaking out. People are blowing shit up. How do you explain this to your kid? How do you deal, hug, being nearly 100 miles away?

This sucks. He'll be sleeping in his office tonight. The streets are closed...he can't go home. But at least he's safe.

[In_The_Wind]

1. Thank heavens that he is alive and that you have talked with him.

[elleng]

2. Maybe this will help.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022680049

Best to you all.

[myrna minx]

3. What a relief that he's safe, but I can't imagine how he's feeling.

[virgogal]

4. What's to explain? He's an adult. I had a son in Manhattan on 9-11.

[Atman]

6. I had a friend on the 87th floor of the WTC.

Maybe I'm the one that needs some explanation, not him!

[Hekate]

10. My friend was in D.C. on 9-11; heard the crash. Boston has triggered her PTSD...

You are not alone -- this is going to give flashbacks to a lot of folks. So glad your son is fine.

[peacebird]

9. Kind of an insensitive response to a parent, don't you think, virgogal?

I know my 30 year old was not in Boston, yet I still felt the need to reach out and call him.

[virgogal]

18. I called my son on 9-11 too. I was responding to the question

about how do you explain this to the son.

I highly doubt that a 25 year old needs a parental explanation.

[peacebird]

22. While my son is an adult, he is still my son. And even at 25 parental reassurance/explanations were

Helpful to ME (when I was the 25 year old)....

[a la izquierda]

24. I did on 9-11.

I as 3000 miles from my family who live in the NY metro, 23 years old, and scared to death.

[nolabear]

5. Oh, poor baby. Just keep reaching out and keep calm yourself. Likely he'll be fine.

I expect that's the cleanest city in America, if not now, in short order.

[Atman]

7. Boston is a great, great, great city.

He works in Boston, lives in Cambridge, right near Harvard Square. Livin' la vida loca. He'll be fine.

[avaistheone1]

20. Yes, it is a great city in so many ways.

[etherealtruth]

8. I can only imagine how the two of you are feeling

... imagine how all parents and all children ... all people there are feeling.

I am so sorry (I am even sorrier that I don't have anything else)

[Atman]

12. I've been trying not to bring "more" into this...

But I can't stop thinking of Newtown.

Yes, I know this wasn't about guns. I'm thinking about how those parents must have felt. I know how I felt...I couldn't call my kid fast enough, knowing that he worked right there. Many texts, phone calls, FB messages...I just wanted to hear his voice.

Again, this wasn't a gun thing. But holy crap...my son is okay, and I'm still shaken up. I simply can't imagine what the Newtown parents have been going through.

[etherealtruth]

14. As parents we can't help but bring more in to this

Just reading your post I could (and did) empathize ... and personalize. I can only imagine the terror and the pain you felt, in the time you didn't know ...

I am sure your son's voice never sounded so sweet.

Will keep you both in my thoughts

[DevonRex]

11. You don't.

You just get through it. Both of you. There isn't an explanation. There's just getting through now and tonight and this week and life. That's all there is. And loving each other through it all.

[malaise]

13. He'll be fine

Give him a phone hug

[Atman]

15. Malaise, I've given him many phone hugs today.

It's been an emotional day. On top of this, my father in law was just admitted to the hospital for congestive heart failure. I couldn't contact my wife about our son because she was dealing with the hospital about her dad. I need a drink.

[malaise]

16. Looks like you need the hug

Do some breathing exercises - we don't need you to become sick at this time.
What a day - you won't ever forget it.

[Atman]

17. Just got a text...they've cleared the street, he's heading home.

I don't like Mondays.
I don't like Mondays.

[Rex]

19. I am glad you are all safe.

This is a horrible day. Stay safe Atman.

[Sissyk]

21. Glad he is okay, Atman!

Lots and lots of virtual hugs going around.

Both of you hang in there!

[zbdent]

23. I'm glad your son is safe ...

[nadinbrzezinski]

25. I will leave the advise and just do this

A tight one.

[HockeyMom]

26. Never stop saying I Love You

That is the best thing you can do; from the time they are little children to when they are adults and on their own. If something that day were to happen to them, or you, it will be the last thing they have heard.

We were in NY on 9/11 but were miles away on that day, yet we were all terrified because we had no idea how far reaching it would be. However, before every one of us left for school or work that day, we had hugged each other and said that I love you.

Live each day as your last, and let your loved ones know how much you care. Best thing you can do.

[rdharma]

27. It's quite safe.

I've been monitoring police radio traffic. The situation is quite safe.

They are reporting quite a few "locals" who are trying get home and can't.

Your son is best will be best off just staying in the office for the night. Tempers are kind of high right now between the overworked cops and pissed off citizens trying to get home.