> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # The park accross the street - URL: https://www.smdp.com/the-park-accross-the-street/ - Published: 2026-08-27T18:59:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-27T18:59:00.000Z - Author: Guest Author - Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica Guess I will begin with a question. Is it possible to be head over heels in love, and still be heartbroken? Though Ohio born and raised,I have been a resident of Santa Monica for decades, and full confession, I am still madly in love with this place… warts and all. If you are reading this, you have your own reasons for loving her, and for what you don't love. The noise level, traffic, overbuilding, etc...none of us is blind to those pesky warts. Still, like faithful, patient parents, we find ourselves forgiving and continuing to love her, no matter what. Could there be any place more special than our city? What I love are quirky, treasured memories of the old post office on Fifth Street, where at Christmas the portly Salvation Army captain would stand at the entrance, ring his bell, and shout out in his own special cadence.. "Salvation Army". I loved the restaurant at the old Broadway department store where I had my last enjoyable meal before early pregnancy morning sickness hit. That is just going down memory lane with a few personal examples. Through the changing years, there has always been something to love and appreciate. However, if you pinned me down and insisted I had to choose one thing and one thing only that I most love about Santa Monica, it would be Palisades Park, the park across the street from my apartment building on Ocean Avenue. You see, I was there yesterday, August 22, when everything changed for me. Oh, the memories that park holds. In my single days, I would jog in the park, with two brief stops. First, a quick prayer at the feet of Saint Monica, who watches over us at the corner of Wilshire and Ocean Avenue. Next, for good luck, I would touch the cold nose of the bust of Arcadia Bandini de Baker, who helped develop Santa Monica. She sits proudly in the middle of the park's rose garden. Sometime later, while sunbathing in the park, I would meet the love of my life, who later became my husband and father to our son. Many years later, I would curl up on a bench at the Rose Garden, trying to write his eulogy... The historic old totem pole at the end of the park, the glorious plants and flowers. Well, you can see why my love has never waned. And then there was yesterday. By now you have watched the news and you know about the domestic incident and then the terrible event that followed. I was standing in front of my apartment building and watched a police officer take his gun out of his holster and shoot a knife-wielding man. I have never witnessed anyone killed. It is not like the movies or TV. It's real, and it's horrible. I watched for a long time while they tried CPR, unsuccessfully. I have been absolutely swallowed up with shock and grief, and held both the man and the police officer in my fervent prayers. He was doing his duty, which means to protect others; he may have to end someone's life. I am writing this not to condemn either man. Honestly, I don't know why I am writing this. I don't know what to do with all these feelings and grief. I am not a politician nor anyone with all the answers. I am just an average, everyday citizen who loves her city. I don't write bills or pass laws. Here is what I do, though. I remember that all lives are precious. Underneath the wild-eyed, smelly, sometimes violent person we often see on our streets...there is a real person that was not that way once upon a time. Maybe you grew up with him or her...worked with him... maybe you had Christmas dinner with him. Maybe he's your ex, your child, even.... Maybe it just starts with that...there has to be a compassionate, effective way to battle the Godzilla that is mental illness. Everyone should have access to the medical assistance that would uncover a healthy and productive, and loved human being. We have to let go of fear and judgement and stigma that remains in our society. I went to church today seeking some answers, solace... something to help me understand. It wasn't until nearly the end of the service, when we sang that old Burt Bacharach tune.." What the World Needs Now is Love, Sweet Love" that I realized the truth in the following lyrics..."It's the only thing there is just too little of...no, not for some, but for everyone." Maybe we can just start there. As for the park, I love her just as much, though now it's a bittersweet love that will do its best to heal my wounded heart. Tamara Tarsitano Santa Monica