Today 14 people lost their lives in a shooting at the American Civic Association in Binghamton. This is a place I know well having been there for various social events. It's also around the corner from the high school from which I graduated.
We first heard the news this morning in the form of a fax from Broome County Emergency Services. No call to action was required but it did keep us glued to our computers for the day to keep up with the latest updates.
In an effort to not upset our residents, we kept the tv and radio off. While most of them knew about the shooting, there was no need to have it be a constant presence during the day.
I found out tonight that I know someone who died. She was the mother of my best friend in 5th grade, Georgia King and I ate lunch at their house every school day. During that year, she was pregnant with their last (and 7th?) child and I remember her wearing her jeans unbuttoned at the waist to allow for her expanding belly. It's so hard to think about that woman in 1975, so full of life to have met her end in this horrible way.
I spoke to her recently after a presentation I gave to her social club three years ago. She hadn't changed a bit except she seemed a lot less stressed and appeared to really be enjoying life.
I don't know what her role was at the Civic Association but I wouldn't be surprised if she was a volunteer. This was a woman who wouldn't let retirement stop her from being productive.
I won't soon forget this day. The shock of seeing Binghamton's name on the front page of CNN.com and hearing it on national news programs, the heartache I feel for Georgia and her family and the rest of the families who are grieving tonight. Most of all, I won't forget that once again I am reminded that life is short and unpredictable and to not waste it.
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