*The following is quite depressing... please skip if you are not "in the mood". I will understand. I just need to clear my head...
While walking through Carytown in Richmond earlier this afternoon, I came upon a makeshift memorial in front of one of my favorite stores...
A family in Richmond - a husband, wife and their two daughters - were brutally murdered on New Year's Day in their own house. I had read the news that day online, and it truly sickened me. The husband was a local musician in Richmond, and the wife opened and ran "World of Mirth" in Carytown - a truly wonderful store that carried all sorts of items. A true one-of-a-kind find.
...And a few days later, another family, a father and daughter were found murdered in their home in another part of Richmond...
And, yesterday, police in Pennsylvania arrested two men - who happen to be from nearby Arlington, VA - in conjunction with both sets of murders... As well as possibly some other ones in Pennsylvania, and another one in Richmond of a woman who may have been part of the "team" on the home invasion and murder of the Harvey family - Bryan, Kathryn, Stella (age 9) and Ruby (age 4).
So, as I approached "World of Mirth" I noticed bouquets of flowers on the sidewalk. Teddy bears and other stuffed animals. And there were pictures and a video of the family set up in the front window. A black drape was on the front door, while a "Ruby Red" ribbon was attached to the front of the glass. And on the windows to the left of the front door were big "posters" where people had written down their condolences, wishes and prayers for the Harvey family and for the "World of Mirth" family.
I just stood there for a while taking it all in. I started to read some of the notes, but I knew that if I got too into it, I would not be able to function after a while. Instead, I grabbed one of the Sharpies that were placed in a bag... "Peace. Love. Comfort."
A woman next to me... "How could you not stop and write something."
A postman making his rounds... "So disgusting. So sad. Why?"
Later on, while still walking up and down Carytown, I noticed a flyer posted at one of the counters. A fund had been started, The Harvey Fund. It had just gotten started last Wednesday, and by the end of that day, they had collected about $15,000 from various businesses and organizations and individuals. The money would be used to help defray funeral costs, as well help the employees of "World of Mirth" who are now in the process of closing up the store. And "Ruby Red" ribbons - in honor of their youngest daughter who was a fixture at the store - were being "sold" by various merchants.
By this time, I had settled in for a bite to eat, and, by chance, my friend, Matt, was walking by. I hadn't seen him since he came to NYC back in July. His timing could not have been more perfect. I wasn't depressed, exactly, but it was nice to see a familiar face.
