We are all aware of it. The event that brought Manchester to the forefront of the world’s stage. The event that tried to tear down the very heart of a city. To divide it. To turn it black with hate and anger.

The Manchester 22.

The lives that were senselessly taken by someone that had no right. Someone whose mind was tainted by a belief that the majority struggle to understand.

I struggle to understand.

I don’t want to understand.

I’ve been envious of people before, yes. I have thought about punching someone squarely in the face for reasons that often relate to having one too many wobbly pops. Never. Never have I had the thought of wanting to kill people for the sake of something I believe in. Feeling like I should kill myself and those people because I am therefore saving them or myself. Never thought that innocent people need to be sacrificed in order for my soul to be saved. And I’m not aware of anyone that feels that way either.

Once again, I draw parallels to Dan’s death. People might struggle to understand why. Norman Raddatz was supposedly a Freeman on the Land. I’m not all that sure really of what that officially entailed. From what I am aware, he had issues with some laws (don’t we all?!?) and then chose not to follow the rules on these laws. Essentially breaking said laws as he felt they weren’t applicable to him.

Clear as mud? Yes? Me too.

Anywho.

Dan was in the Hate Crimes department-which has now changed it’s name FYI. Being that he was in this department and he was shot, I draw a parallel to the intensity of the event and the way the city has enveloped the victims and their families into their hearts.Just as the City of Edmonton did with mine.

I remember my parents being completely overwhelmed by the cheer magnitude of the Love and support I was shown by the city of Edmonton. Police officers were being hugged in the street and thanked by the public for keeping them safe. Schools were having collections, bake sales, anything that could raise some money for the boys and I. Wristbands were made, Blue ribbons were everywhere, t-shirts were made… I was often walking along the street or in the park with my children. Any public place and people would come over to us and tell me how sorry they were. Thanking Dan for his service and his sacrifice. Telling me that he didn’t die in vein and they would be there for us always.  It was beyond all belief.

I think of Manchester. I think of the way this city has come together in a way people may not have expected. A muslim man standing on the streets of Manchester, blindfolded a sign.

There were so many people who came and hugged this man that a line formed. Showing that they didn’t blame his religion. They didn’t blame him. They stood with him. In unity.

There have been so many gestures and fundraising events for the victims of this vicious attack. The biggest of this amazing solidarity of support being a tattoo of a worker bee. The bee is a symbol of Manchester. Back when the industrial revolution took place, Manchester was home to a lot of factories. All the workers in these factories were likened to a bees in a beehive. Coining the term ‘busy bees’. Tattoo shops have been inundated with requests and queues have been out the door for a number of days now.T shirts, decals and various other things have appeared- all with the bee being the symbol of Manchesters spirit.

Facebook pictures with I ❤ MCR all over. The world adorning various buildings with the Union Jack.

Pink balloons are everywhere. Pink balloons were dropped from the sky during the last song of the concert. From there, these pink balloons are a sign of remembrance.

Oasis. The band that basically are Manchester. Their song ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ has become an anthem. You can’t beat us. We look back on it with sadness, but not with hate. Rest assured that it has failed in achieving anything.

I am so, so proud to be a member of this city. To be able to say I have Manchester spirit flowing through my veins. That I was born in this buzzing city.

It has brought a city together in ways no-one else in the UK could follow. But ways we are all so very proud of. The city has proven what Mancunians knew all along.

And these hard times again, in these streets of our city, but we won’t take defeat and we don’t want your pity.

C xx