As many RPW readers will know, Boston, Massachusetts is a special place to RSR Research. Brian was born and raised here. Paula lived here for many, many years. And for me, it’s been my home for my entire life.

And as the whole world watches on while this city tries to make sense of yesterday’s senseless acts of unspeakable violence, I thought it appropriate to write a few words.

Above all, our hearts go out to the victims and the families of those who’ve been killed, injured, or affected by the tragedy at the Boston Marathon. I’ll keep this part short, as tears are steadily streaming down my face while I sit to type. We’re all connected by only a few degrees of separation, and as news comes in many of us are learning that we are indeed connected to many of the victims and their families. I’m betting many of you reading this will soon learn that you are connected to them in some way, too. And as we’re all teetering back and forth between anger, confusion, and overwhelming grief and sorrow, there’s not a thing I can say to make it better, apart from the fact that humanity will triumph as it always does.

But as this is a retail newsletter, I think it’s important to address the retail implications of yesterday’s events.

The marathon is a big deal here in Boston. I, myself, rarely miss it. It’s one of the most special days of the year: a statewide holiday that signals the official end of winter and the promise of newer, brighter days ahead. College kids, families, athletes and tourists line the streets. They eat at restaurants. They drink in bars. They stay at hotels and visit the attractions. They buy stuff. They smile. And they do it year after year.

I don’t question whether they’ll come back. Like any proud city, the people here are resilient. But it doesn’t mean they’re not scared. No one yet knows who did this, why they did it, or where/when they may be apprehended. But in the end, that won’t matter much. What matters is that in the meantime we not allow our fears to impact our economy. Our vital, retail economy. Will we all have terrible passing thoughts the next time we sit in the stands at a sporting event, visit a crowded mall or walk down a jam-packed city street? Of course we will. But the important thing is that we continue to do those things in the exact way we would – and that we do them soon; today. Time is a healer, yes, and shopper traffic in lower Manhattan hasn’t been affected by 9/11 in a very, very long time. But there was a time when it was. And no one wants to see that happen. The retail-focused part of my brain right now is a source providing me with something I – we – can do before time eases the pain and things get back to “normal “.

So please offer your support however you can. Give blood, donate to emergency-services charities, hug your family tighter – whatever helps you better cope with yesterday’s events. But just as importantly, please go out and live as you would. Go catch a ball game. Go shopping. Maybe even order something from a retailer here in the city of Boston. We’re hurting enough; there’s no reason this has to push us into recession, too.