Eastwood is a tight knit community and there’s no greater evidence of this than when folks need support. Early this evening we walked the few blocks in a cold, penetrating rain from our house to 272 Burns Ave. Well before we got to that block we saw cars lining the streets, a few families walking toward us, and a couple news trucks. As we passed a damp mother and her preschool-age children, we heard a a sob.
We arrived at the house, austere and abandoned behind police tape. But in the front yard under two tall trees were dozens of people, some holding candles, some hugging each other, many talking quietly. There were toys piled up under the trees; a teddy bear swung from a round wooden tree swing. Two little girls comforted each other. We didn’t know most of the people there, not personally. But standing there in the rain, we felt comforted just as we hoped others might feel comforted by the gathering we were a part of.
There is nothing to do, really, at a time like this. But to be there, that’s the moment when you’re not on the phone, not online, not watching TV, not living through some electronic medium. You’re just there, listening to your neighbors’ stories, feet connected to the earth, water from the sky mixing with tears.
Of course there actually is much to be done. Tomorrow night, Friday, May 23, there will be another vigil at 7:00 p.m. And M&T banks all throughout Onondaga County will take donations for the family. Just mention that it’s for Mia Sgroi.
As we stood there, about to leave, a gentleman with a face full of sadness looked at us as he was about to get into a car and said, “Thank you for coming, all of you, it means so much. Thank you for coming.”
M&T Banks in Syracuse area:
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