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The image of a stone thrown into a quiet pond and sending ripples out to the shores is a popular image used in many ways. Generally, it refers to an event or an idea that has significant consequences, not all of which we will notice at the time, sometimes not for years afterwards.  A current example, as we speak, is the George Floyd incident which is bringing all kinds of consequences for  individuals and groups. We will be paying  attention to those ripples for a long time.

But I want to draw attention to a particular ripple that doesn’t get the headlines. The actions of the four local police officers was the splash that sent—is sending—ripples around the world and those ripples are changing lives—for the better we hope, but I have been thinking of a particular group of people whose lives will be drastically and permanently changed by the ripples and waves, I think about the families of those police officers.

 Try to imagine the lives of in-laws, of siblings, cousins, uncles and aunts, near and far.  There will be children in school, perhaps with classmates from the world of George Floyd. Imagine if someone comes up to your child and asks “why did your dad do such a terrible thing?” Or “Did your Dad ever push you down and sit on you?” thinking they were being funny. Or maybe serious. Think of spouses. They might have jobs.  Imagine going to the office or business or wherever and wondering what your colleagues are thinking or even talking about when you come into the room. Suppose the marriage has been going through some tight spots, maybe very tight, and the wife finds out that her husband is in jail and there’s no more paycheck. Imagine wondering what your neighbor thinks as headline after headline refers to police brutality.

This splash is big and washes up on faraway shores, but there are big ripples, maybe Tsunami sized, close to home