Waukesha Christmas parade tragedy. What comes to your mind when you read those words?
At first, it makes me think of my night of praying while looking towards Main Street. Listening to a police scanner app on my phone while doing dishes. Wondering Main Street and seeing colored markings on the road and a bunch of press people.
Now, the words make me think of additional memories. News stories of people sheltering in local businesses. People from ALL fifty states donating to the victim’s fund. Pictures of long lines at fund raisers. Encouraging messages in the Waukesha Strong Facebook group from people living in other states and countries. Painted rocks sent to Waukesha A crowd of Waukesha residents singing “Lean on Me” at Cutler Park by the library. The crowd singing “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer” five minutes before this year’s Christmas parade. The beautiful ornaments that people designed and made to help fund raise for the victims and now the memorial.
While I am not thankful that the tragedy happened, I am grateful for the amazing response from my fellow Waukesha residents, Americans and citizens of other countries. Thank you for your support. I am so overwhelmed by the amazing response. I thought people would forget us a few weeks afterwards.
“What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life’s pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.” Joseph Addison