A 91 year old woman was apparently murdered in her own home here in my little town last week. It happened just a few short blocks (about a five minute walk) from my home, very close to the park where I love to walk. The news of this incident has changed my town overnight. This is the first murder here in more than sixty years.
Little information has been released about the case. There is much that isn't being said. Details are sketchy, and police are not releasing much information at this time for fear of compromising their case. What the police officials here ARE saying is that we should all be vigilant about keeping our homes secured and watching for suspicious vehicles and people in our neighborhood. We have been told to be extra cautious after dark. In a town where everyone says hello as they pass you on the sidewalk, whether they know you or not, this advice is hard to take. It feels as uncomfortable as an ill-fitting suit of clothes. We do not want to wear these clothes. It is not our style. This is not what we are about.
I didn't know the victim of this crime personally, but I'm quite sure I know someone here who did know her. We are all connected in one way or another, through our churches, our schools, our places of business, our friends, and our families. Pain and sadness felt by one of us is felt by us all.
Obviously, we are aware that any crime, including murder, is possible just about anywhere. We aren't so naive as to believe that serious crime can't happen here. However, when there hasn't been a murder in your town in more than sixty years, you do get lulled into the complacency of feeling you are living in a safe place.
Many here are frightened and feeling jumpy at the sight or sound of anything or anyone out of the ordinary. I don't really feel frightened myself. I guess I am of the mind that whatever is going to happen is going to happen, and that it is supposed to happen for a reason. I suppose my faith and my belief that God is in control is why I feel this way.
So although I don't really feel frightened, I will probably be more cautious. I will be more aware of my surroundings. I probably won't be going for any late night walks alone anytime soon. With the weather the way it is lately, I wouldn't be walking at night anyway. The cold temperatures, ice underfoot, chilling winds, and slushy snow are not conducive to pleasant walks on the paths in the park this time of year, but still I feel a bit cheated. I feel that with this possible threat something precious has been taken from me. It frustrates me and angers me.
I also feel saddened. I feel great sadness and compassion for this woman and for her family, the other victims of this crime. I hear the fear in the voices of the people who visit the library when they talk about this tragedy. Their fear saddens me too. I feel sadness for myself and my family as this has forced us to look suspiciously at anyone we see here whom we don't personally know. I don't like how our freedom and our friendliness have been changed and limited by this senseless act.
So with this news, today I'm not feeling much like dancing. I hope you don't mind if I sit this one out. I'll be back next time with music to move to, but unfortunately, right now all I can hear is an uneasy silence.
13 comments:
Oh my gosh, Daisy. That is such awful and shocking news. And how odd that it happened right after you and I had blogged about different fears in our lives, and how I believe small towns are so safe. I'm sorry, too, for how it has changed the way many people in your town now feel....I hope the police capture the terrible person responsible....And, please, do make sure you and your family are safe.
Oh how horrible Daisy... What a tragedy. I can only imagine how your little community feels. Please keep us posted on what happens. I hope they catch the person or persons who did it. I cannot believe anyone hurting a 91 yr. old person. GADS!!!
My prayers go out to your town and to that woman's family and friends.
Hugs,
Betsy
Seems that no matter where you live now, things are just a bit different. I too grew up in a rural setting. We did not lock our doors, I never worried about leaving things in the yard, and we all "knew" each other. Without getting into a rant about the causes and why's of what seems to be happening in America, I will say my favorite line of your post was this ...
"whatever is going to happen is going to happen, and that it is supposed to happen for a reason. I suppose my faith and my belief that God is in control is why I feel this way"
That speaks volumes, and it is something I try and hold true with my own life. I am amazed daily at the miracle of life, how resiliant we are, and also how fragile and unpredictable life can be at the same time. Sometimes it's easy to fall into that trap, you know when things seem hard, or unfair. The older I get, the more I realize that every day is special, important, and full of opprotunities. Spending a bit more time with people we care about ... making that phone call to say " I love you " ... appreciating the small things that are so easy to miss when your not paying attention.
I will "not dance" with you today too Daisy. What I find so sad and difficult to understand is how and why some people are capable of such cruelty. I thank God I don't.
Thanks, Becky. There is only so much we can do to make ourselves safe, I think, but we will have our guard up more now.
Betsy, I think that is one of the things I find so disturbing about this. Why would anyone be motivated to kill a 91 year old woman? What possible threat could she have been to anyone. It makes no sense to me.
Thank you, Speedy. That is so true that each day we are given is a new opportunity to make a difference in the world, to live to our fullest potentials, and to love those we share our lives with. I'm glad I don't understand how someone could be driven to this type of action either. I wouldn't want to look at the world from that perspective.
Daisy this is such sad news. That poor little lady. I'll be adding her family to my prayer list.
I agree with Speedy, how does one perform such an awful act?
Take care and be careful out and about.
Thank you, Susie. I found out this morning that my supervisor at the library knew her. They attended the same church. Speculation is that robbery was the motivating factor, but that is just a rumor at this point. State authorities have been brought in for the investigation.
What a terrible thing to happen Daisy. How sad for you, your community, the lady and her family.
Daisy, how horrible! I hope they solve the crime quickly.
I think Speedy said everything in such a heartfelt manner... I just want to say YES to what he said.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Daisy.
Thank you, Lynne. Thank you, Chris. Yes, I hope that since state officials are working with the local police that that will help them solve it quicker.
Hi Daisy, What sad news. How horrible for this elderly lady and her poor family. Sad for the rest of the community too. My prayers will be with her family and friends and I pray that those who are guilty are held responsible. You be careful dear friend and may God bless you and your family in the coming year.
Thank you, Mildred. The thoughts, prayers, and comments from you and from everyone else here are much appreciated. We are doing what we can to take extra precautions.
That murderer took away your town's freedom to feel secure, and I just hate it. That is a crime in itself, in addition to taking the life of a defenceless woman. Perhaps in time it will actually work the other way, and bring people closer with more concern for one another.
Diana, I really like the way you look at things. :-)
My younger son has been gone for most of the last week on a trip to Florida with the wrestling team. He came home last night. I told him about what had happened. The look on his face when I told him is one I'll never forget. He said three words in response, "The paper route."
I realized immediately what he meant. Although he no longer does it, he used to have a paper route. The lady who was killed was not on his paper route, but she was on the route of one of my son's friends. My son often filled in as a substitute for his friend's route. So he knew her and remembered her from having delivered papers to her when he did his friend's route. This incident that was already striking far too close to home, just got even closer to our lives and our hearts upon this realization. It is all just so sad and so senseless.
Post a Comment