I usually don’t like to post about social issues, but when a crisis is happening in your backyard it’s impossible to ignore it and go on with your life. So I thought I would check in today as I have had some people asking about what’s going on and making sure we are okay. Thank you for your concern😊
Things in Baltimore really are crazy and scary. I can’t believe the timing of all of this as I had just moved out of the city two weeks ago. If we were still living in our old apartment, we would have probably left for the week to stay somewhere else.
But the timing worked out and we are living in the suburbs. However, just because we are not physically in the areas of violence doesn’t mean we aren’t affected. Both Rob and I have offices right in the middle of downtown Baltimore and I work in a Baltimore City School. The kids and families I work with live in the affected neighborhoods and I drive through those streets all the time.
When I left work on Monday afternoon I had no idea what was about to happen. Some of the rioting and looting had just begun and it took me an hour and a half to get home because of all the road closures. We watched the news on Monday night in completed shock, seeing that many buildings throughout the city were on fire. On Tuesday my school was closed but Rob and I went into work until the early afternoon. Seeing armed guards lined up along the street kind of gave me the chills. Buildings that we were used to seeing along our drive had been burned down, some already boarded up.
As I am writing this on Tuesday night, the violence has stopped for now but who knows what the night and the rest of the week will bring. Today we saw a change from negative to positive actions. The community members came together and were out cleaning up and beginning the long process of recovering from Monday night’s events. When school reopens, the students and families will need more support than ever. Losing our sense of security is a very scary feeling, and I think it will be a long time before the people of Baltimore feel safe again.
Check out these photos of heroic people defending Baltimore, not destroying it.
I’m glad you and Rob are safe. I was thinking about you last night when I was watching the riots on the news. Scary!
How fortunate that the house was ready and you were able to move just in time to avoid the chaos being in your neighborhood. It’s really good to hear that cleanup and restoration in the community has begun.
You know I thought of you immediately — so glad you are okay but omg it is insane. Unbelievable. Can’t get over it and can’t imagine being so close to it.
So glad you two are safe. So scary. It’s really so sad that people think that doing stuff like this is ok. Makes me sad for future generations.
so glad you guys are safe… What a terrible situation. Hopefully everything calms down soon.
Oh Lisa you’ve all been on my mind! It is sad and terrifying to see this demonstration of displaced hatred. I’m glad you are out of the city. Be safe!
I knew when I DM’ed you that I was thinking thank goodness they have moved outside of the city, but I wasn’t sure if you were at work or not. This is just terrible. Please stay safe!
Isn’t it funny how we form these caring feelings through blogs. I don’t even know you and I like you and worried right away that you and Rob were okay. Through these daily blogs we come to know people and care about them in a way that is not understandable until you take part. Stay safe and positive. No stress because it is bad for you.
It really is amazing how we form relationships with people we have never met through blogging! Thank you for your kind words, it means alot!
I’m lucky that I’ve been in Florida this week, but I’ve been following along. It’s so sad and I hope that the community can come together after all this. Stay safe!
I’m so glad that you posted this! I know I checked in with you last night but really, as soon as the story broke, I’ve been worried about you!!! TIming is everything and thank goodness for your new home!! It is so scary. I can’t imagine losing my sense of security like that, it’s crazy and awful. Take care of yourself.
wow, Lisa, you are right in the heart of it with your job. I keep wanting to do something positive to help and would love to hear your thoughts on anything that we sheltered suburbanites can do to show our support, whether through the schools or whatever the best fit might be. I’m praying for restored order and peace.
If I hear of anything I will definitely let you know! I am hearing that the businesses really need support because of all their time lost from closing early because of the curfew, so if you are able to come to Baltimore at all now that things have calmed down a bit I am sure that would be greatly appreciated!
That is so incredibly scary. I couldn’t imagine having this going on in my hometown. I just don’t get what rioting and looting does to help the situation. Glad you are safe.
Glad you guys are okay and really what a timely move that was. You have such an important role in your job and it’s going to be a lot to handle. Take care of yourself! Thinking of you guys! Terrible stuff, really heartbreaking.
I’m glad you are ok. I hope the violence dies down soon so everyone in Baltimore can continue to go about their lives peacefully… Stay safe in the meantime!!
Thanks for the update- I was thinking about you! One of my best friends lives in Baltimore but she is actually out of town on vacation this week. Talk about perfect timing.
I was happy to see so many articles and photos of PEACEFUL people helping to clean up and protect the police. I think the media really needs to focus on that because I truly believe that they are way more good people in the world.
Lisa, we’ve been heartbroken over the news even from way over here (west coast in BC, Canada). I’m so glad you’re safe and out of the city. I am always so touched by human kindness in the midst of tragedy. I try to focus on that so I don’t get too discouraged.
I can’t believe that its on the news all the way by you! I guess it is a pretty big deal. Things have improved since Tuesday, but there is still alot going on and we just don’t know when people may resort to violence again.
Keeping you, Rob, and all of the kids/families you work with at your job in my prayers. I’m glad to hear you are safe – I was thinking about you once I heard of the burnings and everything. And thank you for sharing the photos of people protecting the city, the media only seems to share the bad news on stuff like this.
It definitely lifted my spirits when I started to hear some of the positive stories! Thank you for thinking of us!
So happy you’re okay, and also sad that things have reached these heights. You see these inspiring photos alongside the bad ones, like of a small child giving police officers and protesters alike water, because all he sees are human beings who are thirsty. It makes you keep your faith in humanity.
Good to hear y’all are safe. It’s amazing to see everything going on, but it’s also good to see the other pictures of clean up. I hope things have turned and the city can heal.
So glad you are safe. I definitely got out of the city and don’t plan on staying in my apartment again for another week just to be safe. It’s really scary and even if we aren’t directly affected, we are indirectly affected. It doesn’t feel real. But Baltimore is a resilient city and we will come out on top.
Wow I’m so glad that you guys are alright! It must be really scary to be there…I’ve been following on the news, and hoping that things get better soon!
Glad you are safe. It is crazy seeing it all on the news, and I am sure it is hard being right in the middle of it. Thankfully the move happened a few weeks earlier. Stay safe!
It is really so sad and scary. I’m glad you are ok and obviously your move was well-timed. I’ve thought of you as I watched the news and followed the coverage. Stay safe!
Thanks you for giving us an update! I was thinking about you and Salt. My thoughts are with you both and of course the whole Baltimore community. I hope you are all able to feel safe again soon.
I’m really glad you and Rob are safe. What a horrible situation.
Why, why do people think that destroying their own city is going to help the problem?! It doesn’t hurt the police or government, it just hurts them.
Glad you have your new house as a safe haven. Stay safe going into the city and I hope it all gets resolved soon.
Sending you all my thoughts. Stay safe Lisa! ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
Thanks for the update! I’m glad to hear you are safe and well!
Glad to hear you and your husband are okay. So sad to watch the news the past couple of days.
THat is scary, and I am glad you are safe. Keeping you all as a community in my thoughts and prayers.
Like you I’m not big on posting about social issues on my blog, but I feel like this one has to be addressed. I hope that the rest of your week was calm. We’ve had a couple scares and quite a few of my friends have been displaced. The whole thing is just madness and I hope peace is restored fully soon. I love my city too much to see things like this happen.
It’s such a complicated issue, but at the end of the day I just want everyone to be safe and its terrible to see the city being destroyed! I really hope that everyone will remain peaceful from here on out.
Glad to hear that you’re okay. It is SO scary seeing some of the stuff that was going on there this week. I understand people being angry, but I just don’t see the point of destroying your own city and throwing bricks at cops that had nothing to do with the event you’re mad about, ya know? It’s very sad that violence seems to be the only way that some people know how to be heard and get attention….and I don’t think it ever solves anything in the least bit.
I can imagine that was really scary, but I am happy to hear you are okay! It is good you are able to share it, and there are some great perspectives and responses on here, which I am sure helped you. Looks like the worst is over now 🙂
Yes it definitely seems like things are back to normal for the most part, which is great. Hopefully it will continue to remain calm from here on out!