Sacrifices, Reunions

I realize that what I am about to share is a bit off the cuff but they grabbed my heart, and I know when one heart is touched, there are others that will also be touched. Our dear Lord doesn't touch just one, without putting the desire to share.

This first is a well written article of the sacrifice our police officers and other deserving workers make to give us a safer place. Firefighters, animal control employees (yeah, I watch those shows where they get animals with sharp fangs and teeth out of houses and yards!) and other service workers leave each day wondering what they will see during their work hours. Here's to you, Heath Taylor and Ted Hughes. William Oates and Tim Huggins. Just a few, for there are thousands of you.

"Oh, are you a cop? That's cool. I wanted to do that when I was a kid. What do you make?"

"I make holding your hand seem like the biggest thing in the world when someone just tried to hurt you. I make five minutes seem like a lifetime, when I am fighting a suspect, while waiting for backup. I make those annoying sirens seem like angels, when you need them. I can make your children breathe, when they stop. I make myself get out of bed at 6 am or 11 pm, to risk my life to save people I've never met. I make it possible to keep back the chaos everyday. I make going to work for your family's safety a DUTY that I will die for. I make myself work holidays, nights during rainstorms and snow storms and other disasters. Today I might make the ultimate sacrifice to save your life. I make a difference. What do YOU make?"

The next is a loving thought expressed by a friend of ours, John Gordon. It brought to mind the brief time I had in Paradise and how youthful, healthy, and peaceful my father looked. Dad crossed over into His arms July 3, 2004. Yes, I'm one of those that look forward for the Second Coming! "Lord, come quickly".

"My paternal grandmother's first husband is still lying in rest on the USS Arizona. This year will be the first Christmas they've spent together in 70 years. What a blessing it is to know that we have the hope of reunions!"  Amen to that, John Gordon. To those of you that chose to come here today, have a day filled with love and laughter, giving thanks to the infinite blessings in your own life.