Today, I Remember…

A year ago, I received a text message from Katie…it went like this…

Mom, I wanted you to know before you see this on the news.   We are under a shelter-in-place order due to a shooting in Squirrel Hill.  I can’t talk.   Leaving my phone open for any emergency notices.  I love you.

I shutter thinking back to this day, just one year ago.  My only child, was taking shelter in her home, in a very nice neighborhood in Pittsburgh. This is Mr. Rogers neighborhood!   I turned on the news immediately and saw the chaos of people running, police shouting orders to get back, and lines of police, firetrucks and ambulances.   Then I saw the headline of the shootings at the synagogue just three blocks from Katie & Anthony.  THREE BLOCKS!!   The sinking feeling in my gut can not be described.

At that point, there was no report of the status of the shooter.  I thought he/she could be running through the neighborhood trying to find shelter…what if this shooter ended up in Katie’s backyard?

I kept texting her…exchanging notes of anger and love between each other.   Fear was my emotion…fear of how this had gotten really close to home.  And I prayed.

While watching the news, I saw familiar places.   So close to Katie.   I wanted to just get in the car and go get her.  

Finally, things were under control.   But this affected us so much more than we realized.   I couldn’t stop watching the news.  Katie was drawn to the site and the memorials that had been setup around there.  It seemed to be all we could talk about for a long time.

A few days later, she was part of the peaceful protest when the President came to town.  She and other friends met at her house that day where they made signs and took water to the first responders.   Even Greg drove up to participate.   This was her way of coping, of doing something, anything, to show solidarity with her Jewish neighbors. 

Since then, there have been numerous events memorializing the victims and I have driven past the site many times on my way to Katie’s house.   It’s still a very strong, haunting memory.   They don’t know if the synagogue will ever re-open.  

I was in Pittsburgh during the Yom Kippur and passed two synagogues where there were two heavily armed guards at the door as members were entering for services.  I was appalled that it had come to that.   At the same time, I know these innocent people felt some comfort in having them there.

Today, Katie posted this on her Facebook page.   I will remember the victims and the entire Squirrel Hill neighborhood where signs of love and hope are apparent everywhere.   This community is changed, and stronger than ever.   I’m grateful Katie & Anthony live there and grateful that Gabriel is in a community where hate has no home.  

From Katie:   (Her comments and a short video)

It’s been one year since the largest anti-Semitic act of violence in American history took place at Tree of Life synagogue three blocks from my house in our beautiful neighborhood.

We continue to remember and honor these 11 people today while fighting for justice for all marginalized people. #buildbridgesnotwalls #strongertogether

https://www.facebook.com/jfedpgh/videos/2435139716539811/UzpfSTE3MDUwMTk1NzoxMDEwMDUwMDk5MzA5NDMyNg/