My wonderful day yesterday
ended with a bit of a fright.
I was on the #72 bus, returning after an enjoyable sectional with the basses from my choir. I had my headphones in my ears, listening to a recording of J.S. Bach's "Magnifucat", the work we will be performing in May. I have become quite obsessed with this glorious piece and Bach himself. I find his music brings me inner peace.
So there I was, on a nearly empty bus about 9:30 p.m. Quite enjoying my inner peace, when something told me to check breaking news.
And there went my inner peace! Just minutes ago there had been a shooting at Clackamas Town Center, the very place I was heading to transfer to the #33!
I glanced at the bus driver. He was one of my favorites. Always upbeat and friendly, with an easy smile.
Just then, he abruptly pulled the bus over. We were just a few blocks from the mall. He hopped out and looked up the street as he made a call on his bus phone. He stepped back on and faced us.
"Hey, I've just been told we are rerouting the bus", he said. "We'll be going to the transit center via Sunnyside Road".
The other passengers moved forward, looking bewildered.
"There's been a shooting", I informed them. "I just read about it on Twitter. One person taken to the hospital. Parking lot closed".
The driver thanked me. He hadn't been told the situation.
He started up the bus and pulled out into the light traffic on S.E. 82nd. We all peered out the windows as we rolled past the mall. The parking lot was eerily quite empty, except for police cars and a few other parked cars. I learned later that some cars had been damaged by flying bullets. They were keeping them there for evidence.
I could have gotten off the bus there. But I was curious, so I stayed on for the detour. I chatted a bit with the driver as we drove around the backside of the mall, which was also quite empty.
We reached the transit center. I got out of my seat. My driver asked my if I wanted to stay on his bus and ride back with him.
I looked at him. He was smiling. It was my turn to be perplexed. I hesitated. But then I remembered my rendezvous with the last driver who turned my head. I learned my lesson the hard way with "R"!
I told him I was transferring to the #33. I wished him a nice evening.
"Stay safe out there", he waved and drove into the bus garage.
I sat waiting for my transfer bus. I checked the news for updates on the shooting. It wasn't until this morning that I learned the victim was Damien Lillard's younger half brother. The shooting took place near Macy's in the parking lot. Very close to the bus stop where I would normally catch the #33.
Near where my daughter and I would often enter the mall on one of our shopping trips when she was pregnant.
I am so thankful that the victim is going to live. I am so thankful more people were not hurt.
But these shootings and violent acts just keep continuing. I have an image of Keno screen just now. The little ball bouncing to and fro across the screen. We cannot accurately predict where it will land next. But it will land.
And where it lands, lives will be forever altered.
I hate to end on such a gloomy note, so here is today's hooping video. Life must be lived!
This is Day 275 of daily hooping.
Be safe my friends.
Talk to you tomorrow.
Love,
Zita
I was on the #72 bus, returning after an enjoyable sectional with the basses from my choir. I had my headphones in my ears, listening to a recording of J.S. Bach's "Magnifucat", the work we will be performing in May. I have become quite obsessed with this glorious piece and Bach himself. I find his music brings me inner peace.
So there I was, on a nearly empty bus about 9:30 p.m. Quite enjoying my inner peace, when something told me to check breaking news.
And there went my inner peace! Just minutes ago there had been a shooting at Clackamas Town Center, the very place I was heading to transfer to the #33!
I glanced at the bus driver. He was one of my favorites. Always upbeat and friendly, with an easy smile.
Just then, he abruptly pulled the bus over. We were just a few blocks from the mall. He hopped out and looked up the street as he made a call on his bus phone. He stepped back on and faced us.
"Hey, I've just been told we are rerouting the bus", he said. "We'll be going to the transit center via Sunnyside Road".
The other passengers moved forward, looking bewildered.
"There's been a shooting", I informed them. "I just read about it on Twitter. One person taken to the hospital. Parking lot closed".
The driver thanked me. He hadn't been told the situation.
He started up the bus and pulled out into the light traffic on S.E. 82nd. We all peered out the windows as we rolled past the mall. The parking lot was eerily quite empty, except for police cars and a few other parked cars. I learned later that some cars had been damaged by flying bullets. They were keeping them there for evidence.
I could have gotten off the bus there. But I was curious, so I stayed on for the detour. I chatted a bit with the driver as we drove around the backside of the mall, which was also quite empty.
We reached the transit center. I got out of my seat. My driver asked my if I wanted to stay on his bus and ride back with him.
I looked at him. He was smiling. It was my turn to be perplexed. I hesitated. But then I remembered my rendezvous with the last driver who turned my head. I learned my lesson the hard way with "R"!
I told him I was transferring to the #33. I wished him a nice evening.
"Stay safe out there", he waved and drove into the bus garage.
I sat waiting for my transfer bus. I checked the news for updates on the shooting. It wasn't until this morning that I learned the victim was Damien Lillard's younger half brother. The shooting took place near Macy's in the parking lot. Very close to the bus stop where I would normally catch the #33.
Near where my daughter and I would often enter the mall on one of our shopping trips when she was pregnant.
I am so thankful that the victim is going to live. I am so thankful more people were not hurt.
But these shootings and violent acts just keep continuing. I have an image of Keno screen just now. The little ball bouncing to and fro across the screen. We cannot accurately predict where it will land next. But it will land.
And where it lands, lives will be forever altered.
I hate to end on such a gloomy note, so here is today's hooping video. Life must be lived!
This is Day 275 of daily hooping.
Be safe my friends.
Talk to you tomorrow.
Love,
Zita
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