It seems to be a season for grief to pile upon grief. It makes me wonder if we should just forego Christmas this year. It is supposed to be a time of peace and family.
MKL’s cousin – second cousin, I suppose – was one of the police officers shot and killed in Topeka, Kansas two days ago. Police Officer Jeff Atherly was only 29 years old, and had been on the police force for less than two years. Law enforcement is a long-standing profession in MKL’s family – I can’t tell you how many uncles and cousins have been professional lawmen. Even his sister was a police officer for ten years. It is a proud and noble line of work for this family, and the loss of one of the younger generation has hit the family hard.
I am not from a large family, so MKL’s extended family seems huge to me. They still have a family reunion every year in Kansas, in a town that’s little more than a crossroad on the map. MKL had the pleasure of spending some time with Jeff there last summer. This would have been my first year to attend, but we had some confusion on the dates, and I couldn’t make it. Next year, I will go, even though it’s a little scary being introduced to so much new family all at once. (And here I want to take a moment to say that I am so very thankful that I have renewed contact with my own dear cousin Tamara.)
I appreciate the closeness of the family’s hearts and look forward to being a part of it. I’m sorry that I will never get to meet Jeff, for he must have been a very fine young man. I am sad to think of his parents, his family, who will be without him this holiday and all those that follow. Tragedy seems to be flowing so thickly through our country right now. This one that personally touches me and the man I love, on top of the little angels of Sandy Hook, seems almost too much to bear.
Perhaps this year, we need the spirit of Christmas more than ever, and the peace and magic that spirit can bring.
8 comments
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December 18, 2012 at 10:40 am
slpmartin
May the new year bring peace and joy into both of your lives.
December 18, 2012 at 10:44 pm
Seasweetie
Thanks, as always, slp.
December 18, 2012 at 10:47 am
Alice
These waves of sorrow threaten to undo us. Marcia reminded me of hope in the midst. Perhaps it will touch your heart as it did mine: http://marciameara.wordpress.com/2012/12/16/i-heard-the-bells-on-christmas-day-by-henry-wadsworth-longfellow/
December 18, 2012 at 10:46 pm
Seasweetie
Thank you, Alice, for sharing Marcia’s post. I didn’t know that, and found the last verse especially comforting, for some reason.
December 18, 2012 at 12:43 pm
lucindalines
Well said, and so sorry for this loss. It is hard to see this senseless killing, we really need to find a way to make it stop. God Bless your family this Christmas.
December 18, 2012 at 10:47 pm
Seasweetie
Thank you, Lucinda. I hope we can find a way.
December 18, 2012 at 3:35 pm
Cin
Much love and many hugs
December 18, 2012 at 10:48 pm
Seasweetie
Back at you, Cin. Love the new gravatar picture.