Dj'ever?

Sometimes things happen and sink into one's subconscious. We had a
tragic murder here on the North Shore in the town my Mom lives. My God
Daughter attends high school with the sister of the women who was murdered.
They attend the same faith community. She was a math teacher, twenty four years of
age and loved by her students and by all reports a dedicated and talented teacher. Her
life was cut short by an alleged student of just fourteen years.

Yes - sad, yes - inexplicable, and yes - well it leaves me empty and questioning.

Tonight, as I left my Mom's after an afternoon visit, I came to what can be an impossible
intersection with an often dangerous intersection. As I placed my left turn signal on
to indicate my anticipated turn, a sea of blue flashing lights on police motorcycles
caught my eye to my left. Easily there were over twenty cycles followed by several
police cruisers. I thought perhaps an escort to the airport for some visiting dignitary.
But then I saw a long line of yellow school buses followed by more police vehicles
and several more private cars with their emergency flashers on.

My heart sank. For the first time since the reports of this crime flooded our
airwaves, the human dimension thrust its way into a newer reality. These
buses were filled with students heading to Andover to attend the wake of a
teacher who had mentored them and touched their hearts as well as challenged
their minds.

A deep sadness overwhelmed me. I thought of how long this ride must feel
to those on these buses.  I reached into my deepest place and asked for the
protection and comfort of these people as this heart breaking journey overtook
their young lives.

I do not seek meaning or understanding, I just reach out in silence and hope
to the afflicted. I hope I do not have to feel this again for a similar event, but
I am not that much of a Pollyanna.

Godspeed for the mourners...