FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2024

Time to Say Goodbye
Italian Lyrics:
Quando sono solo
Sogno all’orizzonte
E mancan le parole
Sì lo so che non c’è luce
In una stanza quando manca il sole
Se non ci sei tu con me, con me
Su le finestre
Mostra a tutti il mio cuore
Che hai acceso
Chiudi dentro me
La luce che
Hai incontrato per strada
Time to say goodbye
Paesi che non ho mai
Veduto e vissuto con te
Adesso si li vivrò
Con te partirò
Su navi per mari
Che, io lo so
No, no, non esistono più
It’s time to say goodbye

English Lyrics
When I am alone I sit and dream
And when I dream the words are missing
Yes I know that in a room so full of light
That all the light is missing
But I don’t see you with me, with me
Close up the windows, bring the sun to my room
Through the door you’ve opened
Close inside of me the light you see
That you met in the darkness
Time to say goodbye
Horizons are never far
Would I have to find them alone
Without true light of my own with you
I will go on ships overseas
That I now know
No, they don’t exist anymore
It’s time to say goodbye

Blue light candles from our staff's homes and the Safe Communities office.

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THURSDAY, December 19, 2024

Crossing the Bar by Alfred Lord Tennyson

Sunset and evening star,
  And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
  When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
  Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
  Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,
  And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
  When I embark;
​
For tho’ from out our bourne of Time and Place
  The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
  When I have cross’d the bar.

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WEDNESDAY, December 18, 2024

Good evening,

Thank you for joining us for tonight's dedication ceremony!

We have another original poem, dedicated to all officers at the end of their watch, retired, and still on duty. This poem is in honor of the loved ones who watch and wait for their hero to come home. 

Great sacrifices are not only made by the officers who serve, but by their loved ones who bear the weight of fear, uncertainty, and loss every day. While officers risk their lives to protect others, it is their families and friends who silently endure the emotional toll, knowing the dangers their loved ones face and the deep sacrifices they make in service to their communities.
​
The Ones Who Wait

They wear the uniform, a badge of pride,
But it's the ones they love who stand by their side.
With every shift, with every call,
It's their hearts that break, their spirits that fall.

They kiss goodnight with a heavy heart,
Knowing their loved one may be torn apart.
They hold their breath with every phone,
Fearing a knock that brings them alone.

The sirens wail, the radios hum,
While their families wait, hoping they’ll come.
But in the quiet hours, there's a fear they can't deny,
That tonight, their loved one might not return or say goodbye.

They worry not of the dangers unknown,
But of the empty space when they're alone.
The weight of each day they carry with grace,
As they wait for the one who holds their embrace.

Yet in the silence, in the prayer at night,
They know their loved one fights for what’s right.
For the innocent, the lost, and the broken heart,
They step into the storm, playing their part.

For the ones who wait, the sacrifice is real,
The ache of love, the rawness they feel.
But through the sorrow, through the fear,
They hold on tight, for they know they are near.

For when the blue light fades, they’ll remain,
Strong and steadfast, through the pain.
Because love is the promise that never will break,
And the bonds of a family no darkness can take.

So we honor the brave, and we honor the loved,
Those who serve and those who rise above.
For their sacrifice, their heart, and their fight,
Are the quiet heroes, bathed in light.

 - 'Dear Friend' 
written especially for our law enforcement officers, in their honor, for Safe Communities' Project Blue Light

Safe Communities' Blue Light at our office <3

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TUESDAY, December 17, 2024

Good evening,

​Thank you for joining us tonight as we gather for this special Project Blue Light dedication ceremony. This evening, we come together as a community to reflect, to remember, and to express our deepest gratitude to the brave officers of law enforcement.

Every day, these officers put on their uniforms, knowing they are stepping into the unknown. They willingly face danger, adversity, and unthinkable situations—sacrificing their comfort, their safety, and sometimes their lives—all to protect our communities and, especially, survivors of abuse. The courage they display cannot be overstated, and their commitment to justice and compassion is a beacon of hope for so many.

It is important to remember that law enforcement officers carry their own burdens, their own traumas, and their own stories. Yet, despite it all, they continue to show up—for survivors, for families, for those in crisis. It is a weight they shoulder without hesitation, a sacrifice they make so that others might feel safe and supported.

This evening, we ask everyone here to take a few moments for quiet reflection. Let us remember the officers who have come to the end of their watch—those who gave everything in the line of duty. Let us honor those who are now retired, having dedicated years of their lives to protecting others. And let us hold in our hearts the officers currently on duty, serving with bravery, integrity, and relentless resolve. For all of them, we are so deeply grateful.

Tonight, as the blue lights shine, may they serve as a symbol of remembrance, appreciation, and hope. May we never take for granted the sacrifices made by these heroes, and may we continue to honor them not just today, but every day.
​
To all members of law enforcement and their loved ones: we see you, we appreciate you, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

All our love and gratitude,
The Safe Communities Team

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Monday, December 16, 2024

Thank you so much for attending Night 1 of our Project Blue Light week-long virtual ceremony.

Tonight we light our first blue light to honor officers at the end of their watch and their loved ones. Thank you to our dear friend who wrote this poem for Safe Communities in honor of all law enforcement officers and all who loved them. We're also including the haunting and beautiful sounds of Cecilia, who sings one of the most profound versions of "Amazing Grace" along with the mournful sounds of whales.

End of Watch

The sun sets on the quiet street,
Where footsteps once held steady beat.
A call to serve, a life to give,
Their watch has ended, but their honor lives.

Through the nights so cold and days so long,
They stood for justice, brave and strong.
With every light that burns so blue,
We hold their courage close and true.

Rest now, dear guardian, duty done.
The fight for peace was bravely won.
Your legacy will guide our way - 
A beacon of hope at the break of day.

 - 'Dear Friend' 
written especially for our law enforcement officers, in their honor, for Safe Communities' Project Blue Light