Today's interaction, although small, to me seemed to speak volumes. When I thought it over a couple of hours later, I felt it showed that support for our law enforcement still isn't front and center in many places. It surprised me to hear the officer say "we don't see that much around here" - almost as if that way of life has become accepted. I hate that - I hate they are out there doing jobs that many of us couldn't do - and it's become the norm to see so little respect or appreciation?? I'm grateful that he took the time to tell me it mattered - but wish it wasn't so rare for them to notice that people care. I wish we as a society had begun to shift in that new direction that it seemed we leaned towards just a few months ago during Thank a Police Officer Day and again on January 9th. But it didn't last - and it sure seems that we owe them a hell of a lot more respect than what they are seeing....still.
Since Saturday night I've scrolled through my Facebook feed full of comments and condolences; seen images tinged with blue and black fade in and out across Instagram; watched the short and impartial news clips on tv. There's that quote about how when we lose an officer it's not just a department, it's a nation that feels that loss. Today, that is once again, painfully clear.
We mourn together.
This is not an incident isolated to a specific area. Everyone who believes in what these men and women go out to do every day, each of us with a friend, loved one, spouse and neighbor who serves and protects; we feel the same sadness too. Whether you lived in Virginia or know a police officer or simply stand with law enforcement, in some way, we are all connected to each of these tragedies.
I don't remember when we stopped caring about the people who do a job that few can. Maybe I missed how things have become or the way issues and politics and causes fueled by celebrities have divided us. Surely I wasn't paying attention when it became mainstream to declare a war on authority, disrespect authority and run wild with so little regard for one another. To me certain people deserve respect because they have earned it but in a world full of entitlement it seems that few feel the same.
As someone who grew up just minutes from where the events of Saturday night unfolded, I'm connected. And angry. And fed up. But mostly, tonight, I'm sad for a family and a department and a society which has turned into something that no longer stands for what is right.
We mourn together.
