May 25 2010
Goosebumps
It was over 80 degrees in Chicago on Sunday morning. Mr. Hot and I mapped out our activities for the day between refilling coffee cups and reading the newspaper. A trip to the fruit market was a must – summer weather means salads and fresh juice, no more heavy winter food allowed. Then perhaps a bike ride down to Humboldt Park, part of our quest to explore Chicago neighborhoods while getting some much needed exercise. I may be working my ass off, but somehow, it’s not doing much for the way my pants fit.
We told Poopy the Puppy to behave himself, grabbed keys and cash, and headed out. The sun had come out of hiding, the puddles from the previous days’ rain were gone and the muddy spots had dried into cracked plaster spots. It felt so good to be in shorts and flip-flops again.
As we walked along Lawrence Avenue, sirens sounded in the distance. Looking ahead, we saw flashing lights at the front of the long line of cars that were stopped between where we stood and the bridge over the North Branch of the Chicago River. The screeching of the emergency vehicles coming from behind us was getting louder by the second. Fire engines. Police cars. An ambulance.
And then, there it was. The Chicago Police Marine Rescue and Recovery unit.
I looked at Mr. Hot and touched his arm as the realization hit me.
They found him.
One week, to the day, after an 8-year-old boy in our neighborhood fell into the river. After watching the news every morning hoping to hear that his body had been found and his family could have the goodbyes they desperately needed. After hearing how his distraught father had gone into the depths himself to try to find his son.
—- Millions of goosebumps crawled up my arms in the heat while I tried not to cry. —-
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Oh. That is such a sad story. At least his parents can have some closure, but what a tragedy. My heart goes out to them.
i cannot even begin to imagine.
pamela´s last blog ..the one where i just tell you things as i think of them, and yes, i know there’s a name for that.
Oh how horrible. Just so very awful. I’m sorry to hear about this.
Jen on the Edge´s last blog ..And to think that she used to be teeny tiny
I understand about the goosebumps. Many years ago, when Mr. Dizzy was a Volunteer Firefighter, a canoe capsized on the Sangamon River not far from our house, throwing out a man, his brother, and his 7-year-old son. The two men made it to shore safely; but no sign of the young boy.
The Fire Dept. spent the following week searching in the high rapid waters for him (we had been experiencing heavy rains and flooding). Finally, on the following Sunday afternoon, Mr. Dizzy was walking the banks with other firefighters, and he saw a logjam. And, a small red shoe – - he was the one who first found him.
When he came home and told me this, I got those goosebumps you mentioned, and tried very hard not to cry.
It’s so sad, but at least the family will now be able to start healing and try to find some closure.
Liz J in Central Illinois´s last blog ..Grace In Small Things: 21/2010
Oh, sadness.
magpie´s last blog ..A Grand
Sad. Very sad. But closure is healthy, so I’m glad they have that.
green girl in Wisconsin´s last blog ..little bits
Bless their hearts. What an unimaginable horror. At least they were able to recover his little body.
I will pray for his family.
Krissa´s last blog ..I need some new drugs.
Oh God, what a sad story. I am glad that at least his parents found him, although I don’t know how you can ever recover from that. I know exactly how you feel. I live on the beach, and every summer, as soon as I see low flying helicopters my stomach drops to my knees, because I know that someone must have drowned.
Hilary´s last blog ..Adventures in the air
Rachel´s last blog ..Days of Grace: 223/365
Heartbreaking, that poor man!
Fannie´s last blog ..
Oh. My. Word.
I just got goosebumps and giant tears.
oh bless him i got goosebumps to and tears you think of your own children, when anything like that happens. children are always attracted to water and it is so dangerous
Carol´s last blog ..You Awaken