‘Let’s be Kind:’ In the Wake of Tragedy, a Message to Concord Town Meeting

As a proper noun, Concord is a town. But lowercase the "c" and you've got something synonymous with harmony.

So it seems fitting then, in light of recent tragedies, that a resident would stand in front of annual Town Meeting and encourage the nearly 1,000 Concordians assembled as the town's legislative body and say: "Let's be kind."

Town Meeting opened Monday, one week removed from the Boston Marathon bombings that set off a week many feel was Massachusetts' most trying in recent memory. As part of the opening ceremonies resident Tina Labadini, who has ties to the ., took the podium, saying as hearts go out to the victims there is a way for Town Meeting to honor them with its actions as well as its words.

“These tragedies are frought with intense emotion," she said. "We each cope and help in different ways. The victims families support multiple approaches, but all include the core element that we as a nation practice kindness in honor of their lives.”

Kindness starts with adults, Labadini said, adults who at Town Meeting will make decisions that impact the lives of their children and can set an example for the next generation not only through the decisions they make but also through how they make them.

“We must not wait for further tragedy to bring us together," Labadini said. "Let’s listen the way we want our students to listen. Lets challenge ourselves respectfully. Let’s work together to find solution rather than a victory. In honor of the Sandy Hook lives and the Marathon lives, let’s be kind – tonight, tomorrow and each day going forward.”

Watch the video above to hear Labadini's full remarks.