The Pulse of Orlando as a Small Town

One thing that shocked me when I moved to Orlando is how it is a very cool city that often feels like a small town. For example, when I struggled to make friends and schedule playdates, I learned that if I attended @ocls storytime on Fridays, half the class went to @lakeeola afterwards. No need to feel awkward asking for a parent's number. We just met there every week. On my youngest's 3rd day of life we took him there to meet the friends who'd supported me through my pregnancy – at least every Friday.

I took the elevator up to my OBGYN office the day after the Pulse shooting in 2016, when I learned that these doctors sat across the street from the nightclub, and during the time I was in the lobby, my nurse got a call that she had lost two dear friends. It felt like every third person I knew or met had lost someone they loved. On my way to a favorite park, I drove past the residential streets behind Pulse to see police officers halfheartedly ticketing cars that had obviously been there awhile, peeking inside if they heard a phone ring.

And shortly after that. @orlandosciencecenter had their beautiful hearts on display as we walked to their entrance. For kids, it was just a pretty rainbow display with the sun shining through our hearts like prisms, both searing a hole into our memories and embracing it at the same time.

I still see memorials to Pulse throughout Orlando like this one pictured, reminding us of the horror while somehow also showing how neighbors can also be family. Orlando has a small town magic with all its quirks but also houses cool vegan restaurants and family friendly breweries. It's a walking contradiction, which is partly why our elections are still so tight. The state's Republican party tries to shut down gay and trans youth in schools while the city of Orlando makes its play to host world pride.

I don't get it. But seeing these memorials still around as artistic expressions of grief reminds me there are still people here who are ready to fight, and indeed they fight every day.