It was two years ago today that Helen‘s life came to an end, in circumstances too terrible to contemplate calmly. So we are spending a little time this morning remembering her life, and the light she brought to the lives of others.
People often ask me if her killer was ever found. As far as I know, there have been no developments in her case. I don’t imagine we’ll ever know who did it, or why. But for the sake of her family I hope that I’m wrong on that count.
They say murder went down in New Orleans by 15% in 2008. They say murder went down in many of our nation’s biggest cities. I don’t know what to make of such statistics.
We’re thinking about going to a demonstration late today called New Orleans Says No More Killings In Our Name! We are also contemplating how we might participate in the Strike Against Crime being organized for January 9.
The last time we saw Helen was when she and Paul and Francis Pop stopped by our house on New Year’s Eve, 2006. Helen gave us a present for the new year: something called an Eggling. We’ve held onto it ever since, and decided today was the day to get it started. You crack the top, pour on some water, and herbs are supposed to sprout in a few days.
Thanks Helen! — for all your many gifts to us.
I first discovered your blog when the national media reported on this senseless murder. As an expat who loved the neighborhood she called home, I was outraged and shocked. I hope all her friends and her loving family have been able to move on from this terrible day, and that one day those that comitted this senseless act will face the consequences of their actions.
what a lovely gift- look forward to seeing what grows.
The statistics on the number of murders in New Orleans are totally bogus. Without knowing how many people were shot and survived we know nothing. The difference between a shooting (often and ridiculously called aggravated assault by the police) and a murder might be the hands of a skilled surgeon or where the the bullet hit. Of course the NOPD never release this information lest it freak out the populace. If everyone who was shot in 2008 died our murder rate would be the highest in the country, if not the world.