Coming back to Chardon

Last week as you know there was a tragic event in Chardon, Ohio. One that would affect the community for many years to come. I've mentioned that Chardon is the closest town to my home with a shopping area. We stayed away last week, and shopped in another town, just to stay out of the way. There were so many from other towns, who came to give support or to try to insinuate themselves in the situation. We chose to give the town their space.

Yesterday we decided to return to Chardon. All along our drive, there were black and red ribbons (Chardon High School Colors) tied on the trees and homes and businesses. Not just in Chardon, but also the surrounding communities. We passed the safety center, where the young shooter was held by the police, and my heart sunk with the sadness of the whole incident.

Once we got into Chardon there were one heart signs all over town. There were portable toilets around the park and remnants of the gatherings at the gazebo. The town was eerily quiet, as though everyone had been too exhausted from the weeks events, to do any more. We ate at Wendy's and it was just a normal event. I shopped at Aldi's. Some people walked around in Chardon jackets and red and black, some businesses had ribbons and signs.

Life to an outsider might seem to have returned to normal. I don't think that the residents of Chardon feel normal though. I hope the love that the world has shown to them helps to heal the terrible rip in their lives.

Life on Mars - Is it a Full Moon

This was on of the most Bizarre weeks ever. Monday started with calling the tow truck to take the car to the garage, then news of the shooting at Chardon High school. After the rear brakes were totally taken apart and put together, brakes are still bad. $120 and the car barely stops.

Listening to the news all day, Chardon kids being held at school and no one really knows what happened or how many kids are hurt.

Turns out that the guy who runs the car shop down the street worked at my ex husband's garage as his assistant manager. Funny how life is.

Five kids shot at Chardon and the news kept repeating an interview with a kid whose ear was grazed by a bullet. I wonder what that kid will think for the rest of his life, what would have happened if that bullet was just one inch closer.

That night the first victim died, and I drove our car to the store to pick up some things. The breaks almost completely went out. I did a lot of praying and thank God there were no cars on the road. We won't be driving that car anymore.

Tuesday I call an old associate that wanted me to do some designs for him. I used to freelance for him about 4 years ago. Just out of the blue. So by weeks end I need to design at least 5 new items.

Two more of the kids die. Two in the hospital. One paralyzed.

I can't even begin to tell you how much the shooting in Chardon affected my life. I shop in Chardon, the Walmart that served as a triage for the victims is our Walmart. We buy our groceries at the Chardon, Aldi, and we repair our house with supplies from the Chardon, Home Depot.

It's not just that we shop there that has touched me. It's the great sense of community spirit and support. These people aren't screaming and complaining, they are holding hands and lighting candles. Many have great sympathy for the shooter, who is obviously a very troubled young man. All the trees in Chardon have Red Ribbons and the parents and children all marched back into the school together, from the town park to show solidarity, with other Chardon residents standing all along the route with signs of support. the first High School Basketball game after the shooting, opposing team wore Chardon shirts and colors to support their opponents. They all hugged and cried before and after the game. When the radical Westboro Baptist Church threatened to picket the funerals of the young boys, Chardon residents made a human barricade chain to keep them out.

The Chardon theme "Our Hearts Beat as One" is so true. As described so well in this story at Cleveland.com

There was an evil thing that happened here in Chardon, but from the blackness and despair grew a beautiful rose of love and light.

Chardon

I haven't much to say today. The whole day I was listening to news, reading news, and watching news. I was doing other things, but I was keeping up with the day's events. The shooting that took place at Chardon High School is just a few miles from my home. The Walmart that they used as a triage is My Walmart. And the School is one we were recently considering sending my Grandson to. This is hitting a little too close to home.

I won't say much more, only that no matter how mature and sensible you think your teenagers are, they all have the ability to be confused, or hurt, or angry in an instant. No matter what you think, your teenager can be unintentionally hurtful, or confused enough to hurt back. Don't let them just sit in their room with their computers, talk to them about life and what they think about the world. They won't want to talk to you, but it's important that you let them know how you feel about things.

A boy in my son's High School class killed himself in his grandparents garage. A girl in my daughter's class, took her friends out for a drunken joy ride, and killed herself. I know the girls mother and she was a good woman and mother.

Follow your kids on Facebook and Twitter.

I am so sorry for the family of DannyParmertor who lost his life today. I am also sorry for the young man who did the shooting, because I think he was confused and didn't really realize the end result of his actions. His life is lost too.


And to the families of Russell King Jr and Demetrius Hewlin. And all their loved ones.