One of the best things about living in a small town is knowing just about everyone. A "quick trip" to the grocery store for one or two items can stretch into hours because of the friendly conversations held in every aisle and every department with neighbors, friends and store employees.
But when tragedy strikes your little town, knowing everyone becomes a liability because chances are you know the people involved. And if you don't, you know someone who does.
Such was the case Sunday morning when word spread that one of Edgemere's favorite daughters and shining personalities was the victim of a domestic murder-suicide.
And to further drive home that small town philosophy, I spent time with Ami Garrison that ended up being among her last hours on this earth.
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| Ami Garrison Photo courtesy of Ami's Facebook page |
Ami was at Edgemere's Bay Shore Bar and Grill on Saturday supporting a fundraiser for some Loyola Blakefield students planning a mission/language immersion trip to Chile and Peru this summer.
She had her daughter Alexis with her, and she was her usual bubbly, smiling, happy self. She bragged — in a loving, motherly way — about her daughter's strong work ethic and her recent job move from Food Lion to Pompeian Olive Oil Co.
The mother and daughter also talked of Alexis' upcoming 21st birthday and their plans to celebrate the milestone at Robbie's, their family-owned pub on Sparrows Point Road.
After painting a wine glass with a festive St. Patrick's Day motif and supporting an accompanying raffle, Ami and her designated driver settled in with some friends at the bar to celebrate the Irish holiday.
Again, with everyone knowing everyone else, Ami made the rounds with hugs, laughs and chats with most customers. She probably hugged every person in the bar when she left to go home.
Just a little while later, word spread about police activity on Willow Avenue — a possible domestic barricade situation.
And the breathtaking news the next morning that the barricade escalated to a murder-suicide and the beautiful soul named Ami Garrison was dead at the hands of her boyfriend.
The community has already wrapped its arms around Ami's family, including her children, Alexis and James ("Bub"), her parents Ed and Kathy, and sister Brandy, and her many friends, colleagues and extended family members.
It is a familiar embrace for the family that was uplifted and supported about 11 years ago when Ami was badly injured in a horrific car crash. She suffered a severe brain injury, among many other physical injuries and wasn't expected to survive.
But survive she did and many considered her a walking miracle.
Her ability to thrive after such an experience makes her sudden and violent death at the hands of another all the harder to understand. I know none of us is guaranteed anything beyond the current moment, but I have problems with Ami benefitting from the combination of modern science, prayer and perseverance and surviving a potentially fatal crash only to have her life taken by anger and/or other negative emotions.
It is unnerving but also oddly gratifying to know that I shared time and space with Ami during what ended up being her last happy, fun hours in this life.
I'm sickened that her last moments were probably filled with terror but I have to take solace in her afternoon and early evening spent supporting her community, laughing and chatting with friends and throwing back a few beers and Irish Car Bombs in celebration of St. Patrick's Day.
After Ami had recovered from the crash, she got a rather large tattoo of angel wings inked on her back.
Many believe she now has her own set of real angel wings.
