December 14th 》Remembering Sandy Hook and Embracing Life
On This Day - December 14th: Reflecting on Tragedy, Resilience, and Community Bonds
December 14th, 8 AM in Santo Domingo.
The day greets me again with the familiar crow of a rooster, a natural herald of the dawn in the Dominican Republic. The predawn hours hold a tranquil charm, distinct from the vibrant energy that will soon fill the streets.
It's in these quiet moments, with the sun still slumbering below the horizon, that I find my sanctuary for writing.
Outside, the city is stirring to life.
The distant revving of motorcycles begins to punctuate the morning air, a rhythmic reminder that Santo Domingo never truly sleeps. Spanish voices float up from the street, a mix of early risers starting their day and the last whispers of the night's revelers winding down.
With coffee in hand, rich and robust, a staple of Dominican mornings, I settle into the rhythm of the neighborhood. The coffee, unlike the lighter blends back home, is a deep, dark brew that awakens the senses with its bold flavor and rich aroma. It's a perfect companion for the solitary writer, a bridge between the quiet of the home and the awakening world outside.
From my vantage point, I overhear a distant conversation, a slice of daily life unfolding on the street below. My Spanish is not that good, but with Google Translate, their voices reach not just my ears, but also my app:
"¿Viste el juego anoche?" one voice asks – "Did you see the game last night?"
"¡Claro que sí! Pero me quedé despierto demasiado tarde," replies another – "Of course! But I stayed up too late."
Their banter, light and familiar, is a soundtrack to the life here, where sports, like coffee, are a vital part of the culture.
As the city awakens, I reflect on the historical significance of December 14th, and how it relates with my current surroundings:
1542 – Mary, Queen of Scots, is born: Her tumultuous life, filled with intrigue and drama, is a tale of a world far removed from the simplicity of life here. Her story is a reminder of the complex layers of human history, of rises and falls, much like the ebb and flow of the city around me.
1911 – Roald Amundsen reaches the South Pole: Amundsen’s achievement, a testament to human determination and exploration, echoes the spirit of adventure and discovery that I feel in Santo Domingo. Each street corner, each conversation, each cup of coffee is a journey into the heart of this vibrant culture.
2008 – Muntadhar al-Zaidi throws his shoes at U.S. President George W. Bush:
This act, a dramatic gesture in the midst of a press conference, speaks to the power of symbols and the complex relationships between nations. Here, in the Dominican Republic, I find a different kind of power – in community, in family, and in the shared moments of everyday life.
2012 – Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting: This tragic event hits close to home, occurring on this day, stands as a somber reminder of the darker aspects of human nature and the fragility of life.
This event, contrasting sharply with the safety and warmth of my current surroundings in Santo Domingo, where children's laughter fills the streets, brings back vivid memories.
I remember this all too well in 2012. Traveling through Newtown, Connecticut, in the wake of the tragedy, I drove by Sandy Hook Elementary. The entrance was heavily blocked by orange cones—a clear directive to stay away from this tragic crime scene.
Unable to get a clear view from the front, I navigated the neighborhood's winding roads for a better perspective. I eventually caught sight of the playground, fenced off to keep kids in and strangers out.
The atmosphere was stark and ominous: no children laughing, no games being played. A chilling silence had replaced the innocent mirth that once filled the air. I stood there, engulfed in disbelief, trying to process the incomprehensible.
Staring at the playground behind Sandy Hook Elementary in the aftermath of such an incomprehensible tragedy, I was engulfed by a profound stillness, a silence that echoed with the absence of children's joyful play.
The "No Trespassing" sign, stark against the chain-link fence, served as a jarring reminder of the sanctuary that schools are meant to be — now a scene of lost innocence. The playground, usually a space of laughter and freedom, stood eerily quiet, its stillness a testament to the lives tragically halted.
I felt a deep sense of sorrow, a shared grief with the community, and a palpable loss that this space, once vibrant and filled with life, had been transformed into a somber memorial.
Conspiracies were already brewing around the now-empty school that had once resonated with laughter. It had become a focal point for paranoid narratives, exploited by figures like Alex Jones to fuel their own agendas. I stood amidst the haunting quiet, a shared sense of mourning enveloping the community.
I then visited The Toy Tree, a local store, and the Subway restaurant, which together seemed to embody the town's spirit. The community's palpable grief was evident in the faces of the residents.
Conversations with the locals, including the toy store owner, revealed a community struggling to cope, yet finding ways to support the families affected by the shooting.
My daughter's choice of a toy in the store felt like a small but meaningful gesture of solidarity.
The same heavy atmosphere permeated the local Subway. The community's shock was heavy and noticeable, a shared disbelief hanging in the air.
But, that was then. This is now, December 14th, 2023.
The rooster crows again, the two men discussing baseball continue, all just outside my window. Life. It’s such a precious thing.
As the sun is now over the horizon, the continued conversation in the streets shift to a nostalgic tone:
"¿Recuerdas a Hanser Alberto? El mismo que volvió a firmar con los Rangers el 14 de diciembre, 2017" a voice reminisces – "Remember Hanser Alberto? The same guy who re-signed with the Rangers on December 14th, 2017."
"Sí, pero nadie supera a Albert Pujols. Ese hombre era una leyenda en el campo," another adds – "Yes, but no one tops Albert Pujols. That man was a legend on the field."
Their discussion, weaving present and past, mirrors the spirit of Santo Domingo. Here, memories intertwine with the daily rhythm, creating a rich marriage of cultural heritage and baseball legacy.
As the day begins, the echoes of these conversations linger with me. December 14th in Santo Domingo is more than a date; it’s a living narrative, blending history with the vibrant pulse of the present. In this city, each moment, from the shared laughter over past baseball legends to the anticipation of new stories, is a testament to the enduring spirit of community and connection.