It's supposed to rain until Tuesday. It's been raining since last evening and already, the amount of water that has fallen from the sky and accumulated in our laneway is of biblical proportions. I dare not drive today, for my eleven year old inherited convertible leaks like seive and therefore it's more like riding around in a giant sponge than a sturdy, reliable, practical automobile. A word to the wise; if you live anywhere in the middling climate zones, forego the convertibles. To use a more common vernacular, they suck. Totally suck.
I guess it's appropriate that it is raining today, although I hope it lets up later on. I live in Windsor, Ontario and today is going to prove to be a bummer day. Late last week, a police officer was shot and killed here in the city when he was trying to prevent or break up a drug deal. Some idiot eighteen year old kid killed him.
It's the first time in 124 years here in the city of Windsor that an officer has been shot and killed. Watching the local news last night, I learned from the police chief that just last year, there was a grand total of five officer weapons fired and four of those were at animals. And for those who may not be familiar with the geography, Windsor is on the Canada/US border with Detroit, Mich., a notoriously violent city. Does anyone else see the irony in this? There's no denying there is a distinct cultural divide at play here.
The officers funeral is today and seven thousand are expected to attend. The only venue large enough to accomodate is the university athletic center, which is practically in my back yard. Yesterday I watched as the gigantic tents were constructed in the parking lot for the reception afterwards, and watched as volunteer students tidied up the boulevards, cutting grass and raking debris. The guys from the fire station just down the road were out hosing down their driveway and polishing up one of their trucks.
The whole city seems to be in mourning. Blue ribbons are tied everywhere in rememberance and most flags fly at half mast. Two nights ago they held a candlelight vigil down at the riverfront plaza for the public, which looked to me to be overwhelmingly attended. Today, once the service has ended, there will be a long processional going right by my front door. The streets are supposed to be lined with officers and citizens alike.
So I hope the rain lets up by then.
2 comments:
Wow, that's interesting that there's SUCH a divide in violence just by crossing an invisible border. Glad to hear a cop's death still means something north of the border.
My Brother, a Chatham Kent Police Officer age 36,attended this funeral...said it was the saddest thing he's ever seen.....How quickly our lives can change in a matter of seconds!
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