Thinking back

[mcreyaufmiller]

In 1992 when I first joined the police department, I new there would be special occasions my family would spend without me. Knowing that fact didn't make the task any easier.The celebrations I missed those first year's depressed me and sometimes made me feel bitter.Working on Christmas Eve was always the worst.

On Christmas Eve in 1995, I learned that blessings can come disguised as misfortune, and honor is more than just a word.

I was riding one man patrol on the 4x12 shift. The night was cold. Everywhere I looked I saw reminders of the holiday:families packing their cars with presents,beautifully decorated trees in living room windows and roofs adorned with tiny sleighs. It all added to my holiday funk.

The evening had been relatively quiet; there were calls for barking dogs and a residential false burglar alarm. There was nothing to make the night pass any quicker.I thought of my own family and sunk further into depression.

Shortly after 2200 hours I got a radio call to the home of a elderly,terminally I'll man. I parked my patrol car in front of a simple cape cod style home. First aid kit in hand, I walked up up the short path to the front door.As I approached, a woman who appeared to be about 80 years old opened the door. He's in here she said,leading me to a back bedroom.

We passed through a living room that was furnished in a style I had come to associate with older people.The sofa has a afghan blanket draped over it's back and a dark, solid Queen Anne chair sat next to a unused fireplace.The mantle was cluttered with an eccentric mix of several photos, some ceramic figurines and an antique clock.A floor lamp provided soft lighting.

We entered a small bedroom where a frail looking man lay in bed with a blanket pulled up to his chin. He wore a blank stare on his ashen, skeletal face. His breathing was shallow and labored. He was barely alive.

The trappings of illness all around his bed. The nightstand was littered with a large number of pill vials.An oxygen bottle stood nearby.Its plastic hose, with face mask attached rested on the blanket.

I asked the old woman why she called the police. She simply shrugged and nodded sadly toward her husband,indicating it was his request. I looked at him and he stared intently into my eyes. He seemed relaxed now. I didn't understand the the suddenly calm expression on his face.

I looked around the room again. A dresser stood along the wall to the left of the bed. On it was the usual memorabilia: ornate perfume bottles,a white porcelain pin case, and a wooden jewelry case.There were also several photos in simple frames. One caught my eye and I walked closer to the dresser for a closer look. The picture showed a young man dressed in a Police Uniform. It was unmistakably a photo of the man in bed.I knew then why I was there.

I looked at the old man and he motioned with his hand toward the side of the bed. I walked over and stood beside him. He slid a thin arm from under the covers and took my hand. Soon,I felt his hand go limb, I looked at his face. There was no fear there. I saw only peace.

He knew he was dying; he was aware his time was very near. I know now that he was afraid of what was about to happen and he wanted the protection of a fellow cop on his journey. A caring God had seen to it that his child would be delivered safely to him. The honor of being his escort fell to me.

When I left at the end of my tour that night, the temperature had seemed to have risen considerably, and all the holiday displays I a saw on the way home made me smile.

I no longer feel sorry for myself for having to work on Christmas Eve. I have chosen an honorable profession. I pray that when it's my turn to leave this world there will be a cop there to hold my hand and remind me that I have nothing to fear.

I wish all my brother's and sister's who have to work this Christmas Eve all the Joy and warmth of the Season.

 

 

Merry Christmas and god bless you.

 

Oh yeah!! I love my Chevy Truck!!

[99silveradoz71]

Thanks Mike, that definitely says a lot as I've had my share of less than cheerful calls during the holiday season. Back to work tomorrow am for 7 straight days, and the 6th Christmas in a row at my department. Of course I did church traffic as an auxiliary on the holidays for 2 years with another department before getting hired on the current place.

[firerage101]

Thanks Mike, that definitely says a lot as I've had my share of less than cheerful calls during the holiday season.  Back to work tomorrow am for 7 straight days, and the 6th Christmas in a row at my department.  Of course I did church traffic as an auxiliary on the holidays for 2 years with another department before getting hired on the current place.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas to all of you, and for those guarding our nation and serving within thanks. My father was a trooper for 27 years, and his father as well. I chose to federal route and joined with customs. To all of you i owe a thanks as this proffesion has taught me alot and opened my eyes. Be safe

[Black02Silverado]

Thanks Mike, that definitely says a lot as I've had my share of less than cheerful calls during the holiday season.  Back to work tomorrow am for 7 straight days, and the 6th Christmas in a row at my department.  Of course I did church traffic as an auxiliary on the holidays for 2 years with another department before getting hired on the current place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas to all of you, and for those guarding our nation and serving within thanks. My father was a trooper for 27 years, and his father as well. I chose to federal route and joined with customs. To all of you i owe a thanks as this proffesion has taught me alot and opened my eyes. Be safe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My father was also a State Trooper in Pa for 27 years. He has missed his share of family holidays and special events with us kids as well. I too want to thank all that protect this great nation. Within my family your service doesn't go unnoticed. I have only had to miss one Christmas and that was when I was on my remote tour to Korea. That was one long year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

[Truckman031]

Merry Christmas and thanks to all who serve our country

[99silveradoz71]

Unfortunately had to be with one family that'll be having a sorrowful Christmas without their mother.

[mmmikkke]

Mike, it's good sometimes to speak from the heart. It's something we all could use a little more of.

 

I lost my mother 5 days before Christmas 2001. After a long illness, she passed away on December 20. Me, my 2 sisters, some of the grandchildren, her brother and his wife...we were all with her when she died. We demonstrated our love for my mother by our presence during her illness and especially in her final moments. She knew she was not alone.

 

Christmas is a tough time to lose a loved one, and a tough time to be alone.

 

And closure is important. The man's wife obviously understood that. When you were summoned to the address, your mission was to be the vehicle of the wife's love for her husband. She wanted to give a final gift of love to her husband, the presence of a fellow officer. You handled the mission with honor and grace.

 

With that, you provided closure for the man's wife, and indirectly for the entire family. You helped that family in more ways than you know.

 

Well done, sir.

[MMM]

Very touching story. Thanks for sharing! MMM