Don't forget the police!

Being home alone with the kids on Holidays is nothing new for me.  It is my life and part of being married to a Police Officer.  I try and make the best of it but to be honest, it stinks!  Today as I was home I could see the cars slowly lining the streets and people getting out of their cars and going to join family and loved ones for barbeques and swimming.  Meanwhile I sat home with the kids wishing I was anywhere but home without Seth.  As the kids and I went for a drive to pick up something for dinner ( I refused to be home alone all day AND cook dinner) Wyatt asked why there was no one out and about and why no one else was picking up dinner. I explained that today was a Holiday and people were home having parties with their friends and families.  He said "That's not fair! Why does Daddy have to work then."  I explained that Daddy needed to be at work in case someone needed help and that seemed to suffice for the moment.

Then I started to get a bit irritated. We are celebrating Memorial day and all the Men and Women who serve our country and protect our freedom and for them I am ever so grateful.  Then I started to wonder why the same thanks and gratitude isn't extended to the Men and Women of Law enforcement.  They too serve and protect the communities and their families also make sacrifices for the safety and well being of citizens in local communities.  I know that in the eyes of many it is not the same.  BUT coming from someone who sees the sacrifices that Men and Woman in law enforcement make along with their families it certainly would be nice to feel as though they too are appreciated and recognized.

Instead all I hear is people complain about being treated unfairly and cops who screw up and give the rest of them a bad name.  Then I listen to politicians get up in their expensive suits in city council meetings and explain how they are going to balance the budgets by once again cutting cops pay and benefits and not wanting to pay them overtime for the hours they stayed past the end of their 10 hour shift dealing with someone who has lost their life and having to tell a family that their loved one has passed away. Or perhaps working the scene of an accident in a hot, black uniform, heavy vest and belt in 110 degree heat for hours on end. Or maybe being screamed at and spit on by a naked, smelly, person high on drugs that pees, poops, and throws up all over them selves that they must grab a hold of and haul off to jail so they don't hurt themselves or someone else. They complain about the cost of paying Police and the benefits they receive for doing what they make out to be a "regular" civil service job.  As if these guys work Mon -Fri 9-5 driving in an air conditioned car all day doing nothing.  It infuriates me!  They do this job because they love to help, protect, and serve the community.  They do this job despite being unrecognized and grossly under compensated for the risk factors, and sacrifices they and their families make every day they go to work.

SO today along with being thankful and grateful for those who serve our Country, I am also remembering and thanking those who serve and protect us locally.