Uvalde Texas — Even the smallest gesture can have a big impact. This was made clear when the San Antonio Spurs began an open practice and community meet in Uvalde, Texas.
137 days ago, in this small town located 88 miles (140 kilometers) southwest of San Antonio, a massacre occurred inside Robb Elementary School.
On May 24, 19 children and two teachers perished in the shooting attack.
The Spurs held an open practice Saturday at Uvalde High School to show support for Robb Elementary students and those affected by the tragedy.
“It’s extremely sad,” said Tre Jones, a player for the San Antonio team.
“I wish everyone was with us and was able to enjoy this moment. We just try to bring joy to the families and children who were friends of those who died. We also seek to help teachers. We want to bring a moment of happiness into their lives again and just try to bring a smile to their faces.”
Also read: Uvalde: The new chief of school police is fired after it was revealed that she was in a massacre
With a changing roster that includes several youngsters, it was San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich who got the biggest ovation as the team took the field for practice.
Then the Spurs lifted the community up, literally.
They carried little kids on their shoulders to make it easier for them to score, but the biggest lift was spirits off the court.
Mónica Flores’ eldest daughter is still understandably traumatized by the killing.
He was in fourth grade, the same as those who died.
His classroom was located right in front of the two where the shooting attack took place.
“She has good moments, but we will never forget,” Flores said.
“All of a sudden, you can see people who look like the shooter. She did see him through her living room window. She is terrified of people who look like her. It’s not that she judges them, but there are people who can look alike, and that just scares her.”
The girl is afraid to leave the house and face certain situations.
Thanks to the Spurs, those fears disappeared for at least a few hours.
She had been looking forward to it on Saturday afternoon, ever since she heard that the Spurs would be visiting Uvalde to see her and the other elementary students.
Dressed in an Argentinian Manu Ginobili jersey that her uncle bought, Flores’s daughter and the other attendees were surprised and fascinated to see that the former player, now a member of the Hall of Fame, was among the visitors.
Ginobili, who is now a special adviser to the Spurs, spent the entire event signing autographs and taking photos with those in attendance.
Flores’ daughter spoke directly to Ginobili at half court when it was her group’s turn to meet the Spurs.
And as has been the case with hundreds of fans for more than a decade, the girl was delighted to pose with Ginobili.
“I am grateful that she was able to experience this with Manu,” Flores said.
The tragedy of May 24 is something that marked the community of Uvalde, but its inhabitants try to get ahead.
