Wellesley Residents: Showing Support for Our Morses Pond Lifeguards
Last night I attended the town meeting re: the tragedy at and status of Morses Pond with the intention of:
- finding out when the pond might reopen
- sharing my view that the drive to increase attendance may not be the best idea
- expressing my sadness over this terrible accident
- expressing gratitude and sympathy for our emergency service personnel and lifeguards.
This post is about the last bullet point.
I expected the meeting to last a few hours -but to my disappointment, I found that arriving 6 minutes late meant I missed this entire agenda item.
My understanding is that Chief Cunningham gave a short report similar to the one published earlier this week and the outside consultant was officially on-boarded. Afterward one resident spoke and that was it.
Before leaving I noticed a group of folks standing outside the hall. Turns out they were a group of Morses pond staff, lifeguards and their families.
They said they had no idea when the pond would reopen -but that they’d be ready this weekend.
When I realized who they were I took the opportunity to share my appreciation for all that they did and do for us. I let them know that we’re behind them and understand that this must’ve been an awful experience -that I couldn’t imagine the grief and pain they must be feeling.
Many an eye welled up. One of them said said “I wished you’d have been here earlier to say that in the meeting.”
I was left with the distinct impression that these folks are hurting that if we as residents could find some way to express our gratitude and support of our lifeguards it would really make a difference in their lives.
I have not been to the pond since the accident -so I don’t know what’s there - but may be we can leave messages, drawings etc in support of them? I dunno -but I worry that as a community we’re dropping the ball on supporting OUR first responders.
Thoughts, suggestions etc. welcome.
Sorry for the long message. Feel free to share this with whomever.