Saturday was like hot cocoa in front of a fireplace. Warm, friendly, and satisfying. Sadly, it was also bittersweet. A bake sale for a deputy who was slain as he protected our community from evil. A man who fearlessly ran to the scene of a crazy man without any thought for his own safety. A hero.
There were many heroes that day. Another deputy was seriously injured. He works right here in Big Bear. Thankfully, he is healing physically, but the emotional anguish of that day stays in the hearts and heads of all those brave men and women who ran directly toward harm's way.
Those of us who were bystanders, waiting on edge for a conclusion, can never really understand the intensity of that day. Many of us were scared, but we kept on going to school, working, and living our lives. It is a testament to communities that in the midst of fear and heartache, they persevere.
While so many continue to suffer the aftermath of that horrible day, we are all healing at our own pace. For me, action is a tourniquet. It temporarily stops the emotional bleeding in my head. It gives me a purpose. A focus and a mission. I think, from what I saw, it did that for many.
People came bearing trays and baskets of homemade goods. Those who didn't have time, brought store bought goodies. Those that didn't want to bake, brought cash. Every person I came in contact with was loving and moved. They wanted to be there. It was one of the most tremendous outpourings of concern and caring I had been privileged to be a part of in a long time.
And then the customers came. Good folks from all parts of our community. Young and old, rich, poor and in between. People who gave a quarter and people who threw in a whopping check. It didn't matter, because it all mattered. Every person who gave of themselves, gave everything they could. Perhaps the most healing part of all was simply being there. Together. It is my hope that the family of Deputy MacKay, Deputy Collins, and all of the men and women in our law enforcement community will take the love we all felt that day and remember it in their dark times. They are appreciated, they are needed, and they give their all for us.
