There are 13 years between my sister Kat and I. Even so, we both spent our youngest years on Kappel Drive. And now, we are sharing some of our older years together again. Being able to do that on this trip has been important to me. We had a good laugh yesterday leaving the Walgreen's parking lot in her car, when I turned to her and said: "I'm going to miss this." She burst out laughing. I guess it sounded like I meant everything, when I really just meant the time we are getting to spend together.
Every return trip to the states has been about so much MORE than is immediately visible to the eye and the heart. This trip has many layers of MORE. We are geting things done. We are supporting each other. We are accepting realities. We are planning and problem solving. And, we are able to share our sadness and concerns about the reality of what is happening in Ferguson.
We've been talking all along about community-wide plans for businesses and residents to be able to respond in the wake of the grand jury decision on the Michael Brown case. Now you: see businesses boarding up; you hear about plans for closing so employees will be safe; you hear about family's evacuation plans; you hear about resident's plans to protect their property; and, on our visit to see our parents yesterday, all of the residents had received a letter that outlined the facility's concerns and plans to respond to and prevent potential problems.
Their opening statement gripped our hearts:
"You are likely aware that many St. Louis area public safety agencies-police, fire, emergency medical services-are making plans for potential disiruptions to routine daily living in the event there are negative reactions to the grand jury's decision in the August Michael Brown death in Ferguson. Our prayer is that no matter the decision, calm and civility will be maintained."
We are happy to know that our parents are safe and that special precautions are being taken there, and all over the St. Louis Metropolitan area. I am left wondering, however: what will happen if all of the surrounding emergency services are mobilized to Ferguson and there are emergency needs elsewhere? This is bigger than Ferguson.
We are so grateful that Mom and Dad are not in their home in Ferguson.The hugeness of our grafefulness can't fit into their Good Things Jar
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