I was fortunate to have the day off...
My boss at the library called in sick today. Otherwise, I would have spent the day at my job and missed out on what to me was an emotionally touching event... the funeral service for New York City Police Detective Steven McDonald, as it was covered live and in its entirety on WPIX-TV.
It was years ago, in July 1986, when uniformed officer, Steven McDonald, was shot and paralyzed while patrolling Manhattan's Central Park. I don't know all the circumstances of the shooting, as I was already in prison at the time. But Officer McDonald would later go on to forgive and even befriend the young man who shot him.
Although now a quadriplegic, he continued to work for the Police Department as a spokesperson on forgiveness. Officer McDonald became known throughout many parts of the world for this, and I remember reading articles about him as he would visit public schools and other places to proclaim his message.
In fact, I was so inspired by his efforts at encouraging forgiveness and reconciliation, that at one time I contemplated reaching out to Detective McDonald to see if he'd be interested in taking letters of apology to the families of my victims. It never worked out, however, as the man who was supposed to contact him never followed through.
It was truly gut-wrenching and even mesmerizing to see such a huge display of grief by so many, along with countless stories of Detective McDonald's life of service to the city, and beyond. I know he affected my life in a positive way even long before his passing at the age of 59.
My hope is that many people from all walks of life would embrace Detective McDonald's lifestyle of forgiveness for the wrongs that may have been done to them, and that many would follow his example. If this were to happen, it could transform society for the better.
D.B.
It was years ago, in July 1986, when uniformed officer, Steven McDonald, was shot and paralyzed while patrolling Manhattan's Central Park. I don't know all the circumstances of the shooting, as I was already in prison at the time. But Officer McDonald would later go on to forgive and even befriend the young man who shot him.
Although now a quadriplegic, he continued to work for the Police Department as a spokesperson on forgiveness. Officer McDonald became known throughout many parts of the world for this, and I remember reading articles about him as he would visit public schools and other places to proclaim his message.
In fact, I was so inspired by his efforts at encouraging forgiveness and reconciliation, that at one time I contemplated reaching out to Detective McDonald to see if he'd be interested in taking letters of apology to the families of my victims. It never worked out, however, as the man who was supposed to contact him never followed through.
It was truly gut-wrenching and even mesmerizing to see such a huge display of grief by so many, along with countless stories of Detective McDonald's life of service to the city, and beyond. I know he affected my life in a positive way even long before his passing at the age of 59.
My hope is that many people from all walks of life would embrace Detective McDonald's lifestyle of forgiveness for the wrongs that may have been done to them, and that many would follow his example. If this were to happen, it could transform society for the better.
D.B.
