It isn’t often you get to call someone and wish them Happy Birthday on their 104th birthday. That is what Leah and I did today for our long time Ypsilanti neighbor Gordon Cahours. He couldn’t talk too long because he was getting ready for his birthday party which was going to take place in his garage and was open for friends and family. I am always amazed when talking to him, because he can carry on a conversation on the phone better than many people who are 30 years younger. He still lives by himself, and he only has someone come in during the day to help with chores. Going up and down stairs is a normal part of his day.
Gordon and Leah’s mom were cousins. This has allowed us to get a great perspective on Leah’s mom’s side of the family. Last Easter I took all the grandkids over to meet him and ask him questions. I am not sure who enjoyed the visit more, Gordon or the grandkids. Gordon gets my Orchid of the Day
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Is no place sacred? How can a celebration of a Super Bowl Championship turn into a place where 22 people are shot, including nine children?
We have celebrations like this throughout the year all over the country. They are not just for Super Bowl or World Series champions. Sometimes they are for high school state championships. Sometimes they are for college championships. Not all are as big as Super Bowl champions, but they all are celebrations none the less.
After what happened yesterday, and what happened at the Highland Park, Illinois July 4th, 2022, parade in which 7 people were killed and 47 injured, are we going to have to cancel parades? Are we going to have to set up guarded entrances and exits? I hope not.
My daughter and grandchildren attended the U of M Parade celebrating the U of M football team’s national championship last month. The grandkids made great memories which will last a lifetime. Fortunately, they were happy memories. What happens next time?
The members of the crowd yesterday in Kansas City were making happy memories. Memories that were going to be cherished for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, those memories are now replaced with nightmares, because of two people with guns.
I am confident the Chiefs are going to win a few more Super Bowls in Patrick Mahomes’ career. What will the celebration be like next time? Will everyone be looking over their shoulders? Will everyone be suspicious of the people around them? Will they even hold a third celebration?
I pray for the victims and their families and friends. Their lives are forever changed. However, they are not the only ones who need our prayers. Those in attendance who saw the carnage or heard the shots will need our prayers as their lives are also forever changed.
Yesterday’s shooting will have a lasting impact on everyone who attended yesterday’s event. It will also have a lasting impact on those who will have the opportunity to attend future public celebrations such as this. The damage has been done.
Just as the Boston Marathon and the Highland Park Fourth of July parade will never be the same, all future celebrations in this country will never be the same. Families are going to choose not to attend. Communities will be leery of holding future celebrations. The cost of holding them will increase as security is increased.
Forever changed. That is the cost of yesterday’s senseless shooting.
Quote of the Day: “When you have people who decide to bring guns to events, when you have people who are deciding to try to mar events — celebratory ones, like this one — all of us start to become members of this club that none of us want to be a part of,” Quinten Lucas, the Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri.
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Quote of the Day: See above.
Orchid of the Day: Gordon Cahours who turned 104 today. See above.
Onion of the Day: The people responsible for the shooting in Kansas City
Question of the Day: Why??????????????
Video of the Day: No Words Necessary
