• Chelsea Romo Returns Home

Unseasonably high October temperatures didn't keep away a crowd of nearly 200 that welcomed Chelsea Romo back home to Wildomar in the mid afternoon. 

For those that don't know, less than a week ago she was among the many people that were forever changed when a psychotic gunman let loose a deadly barrage of gunfire, in the direction of a country music festival, from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel in Las Vegas. 

She was hit by what was described as "shrapnel" in the eyes. She lost the left eye entirely, and her right eye is severely damaged.

KTLA and NBC both had camera crews on the scene,
in addition to several other local media outlets.

It was a tight squeeze onto the small cul-de-sac in the Windsong Valley area of Wildomar. The minor inconveniences were no match for the spirit of cooperation among those in attendance.

Well wishers were getting into position when she was about 10 minutes away.

At 3:30pm the hired car carrying Chelsea arrived at Akwo Circle to throngs of neighbors, friends, family and media.

People lined both sides of the street as Chelsea Romo's car approached.

She did wave to the people lining the streets from her car window, but after hugging her children she went directly into her home. 

Chelsea was in the front seat with the window down.

Here are two of the many signs that were made for Chelsea's homecoming.

Many people sought out bits of shade as they waited for Chelsea to arrive.
There were periodic updates of where she was on the route.

After Chelsea went into the house, her father came out and I asked if the family was going to issue any statements. He told me that there wasn't going to be any formal statements beyond what they'd already told the crowd. 

The father of Chelsea Romo talking with an NBC reporter.
Gotta love the multitasking; how she's her own cameraman.☺

"Frank" from Anthology Church offered a prayer with many of those gathered having formed a circle, holding hands. 

A hearty "AMEN" was heard throughout the cul-de-sac upon the conclusion of the prayer.

Many family members spoke on camera.

Here is where the real hard part hits as the reality of day to day life sinks in. There is a GoFundMe page that has raised an impressive $89,000 in five days. Such community spirit, but we all know that amount of money will go very fast when addressing the needs that Chelsea will be dealing with.

Click this link to visit the page to contact the family, donate money or get updates.

I've heard that there is a "meal train" that is pledged until the end of November. (I'm guessing that a "meal train" is a list of people that have volunteered to prepare meals for the family). The best way to contact the family to offer any assistance would be through the GoFundMe page.

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Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose.
– Lyndon B. Johnson

Wildomar Rap respects the past, but knows that it can't be changed or expunged. From this point forward, it's all about how one approaches today and tomorrow.