Pride

Watching the scene in Boston play out last night was amazing.  A successful conclusion to a horrific week.  Seeing people come out of their homes to cheer for the law enforcement personnel as they left the area, was tear jerking, to say the least.  From all of the fear, came pride and gratitude that couldn't be contained.

Earlier, while the operation was still in full-swing, I couldn't help but think...are those guys hungry?  How are  they functioning if they haven't eaten? How many hours have they been out on this case?  When was the last time they slept?  I'm sure they were running on adrenaline, but I know how I feel about my own husband when he is out too long on a case.  I know I'm his wife, but worry like a mom too...can't help it.

And, what I know most of all...how were their wives/significant others watching this news coverage without losing their minds?  I know my husband would want to be first in the stack for SWAT, and I know how I worry.  Seeing it unfold in front of me on TV might be unbearable.  And with one officer's life already taken... I didn't want to imagine what else could happen. 

You see, as a spouse of a cop, you block it all out.  Every piece of it.  You get used to the uniform, the guns, the vests, the body armor.....but when they walk out that door, it all melts away~at least to me.  I tell myself he "goes somewhere" and comes back.  Thinking about the middle part is too difficult.  I would never sleep, or be able to function if I envisioned everything he does each day.  Forget about SWAT, I don't even want to think about that part.  So I know that this all playing out on TV has had to be extremely difficult for the wives and families of those involved, and we should all say a prayer for them to get through this.  

Because even if they don't realize they need the lift, they do.

A few years ago, I saw a police take-down in traffic, directly in front of me, as I drove my daughter home from preschool.  I sat there in my car, frantically trying to figure if I was seeing my own husband as the officers got into position around the car.  Once I realized it wasn't him, it dawned on me~oh my gosh, that's what he does everyday.  Every single day.  I did not like it.  It blew my reality up, and scared the heck out of me.  It's always in the back of my mind...

To every cops wife, spouse, partner who had to hold their breath this week, as you prayed for your loved ones safe return home, know that all of us in this extended law enforcement community worried and prayed along with you, and we will continue to do so as you deal with the aftermath of this week from hell. 

Thank you for yet again another reminder that our "good guys" always show up. 

Be safe.

Have a great day

{Jenn}

PS....all the photos came from this site below...

http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/04/19/surreal-photos-of-swat-teams-combing-watertown/

Boston

Once again, my heart sunk down into my stomach upon hearing the awful news of the day. 

Once again all of us think what kind of world do we LIVE in anymore? 

We live in the most resilient country in the world...that's where we live.  Boston, our hearts are with you.

{It's amazing how you can feel disgusted and sickened by the cowards who committed these acts of terror, while at the same time,  feel utterly proud, amazed and grateful all at once for those who ran straight into danger, without regard for their own safety.  That's how days like this make me feel}.

Sadly, the 26th mile was to be dedicated to the children of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting~and some of their families were there....when I turned on the news, and saw what was unfolding, my thoughts instantly went to my post about it...

Read it again...it's still true.  And always will be.

Good guys always show up...and there will always be more good than evil in this world. 

Believe it.

Say a prayer tonight to someone, or something.  And if you're not sure how to pray, just say 'thank you' in your heart to those who keep all of us safe everyday, and are willing to give their lives for total strangers, just because it's the right thing to do.

Have a safe night,

{Jenn}

Helpers

After the unspeakable tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, I think we all struggled to find ways to explain to our children what had occurred.  I know I wanted to let my girls know {at least in general} what went on before they got on the school bus, so they wouldn't hear other versions of events and get scared.  The truth was scary enough.  There was one piece of information that was stuck in my brain~I think it was a quote from Mr.Rogers~and I decided it was the best way to tell the horrific story, and still let them feel empowered to help themselves in an unthinkable situation.

{Look for the helpers} 

I'm going to look up the quote to be correct here, but paraphrasing, Mr.Rogers said his mother always told him if he was lost, or was in a situation that was scary, he should always look for the helpers.  There would always be more people helping than hurting...so look for those people if you are scared or need help. That, to me, was the most beautiful, concrete way to explain to a child that bad things happen.  Bad people exist.  But there will always be more kind and good people in this world~find them.  That is absolutely what I want to be stuck in my daughters heads if the stuff hits the fan.  It tells them on a deep-down level to keep going.  Find that person that is going to get you to safety.  Find that person that will get you back to me.  Never give up.

Okay, I found it....Here is a link to the Fred Rogers Company, with the direct quote, and a very short clip of him explaining what is helpful for children during times of disaster or stress.  I remember watching him as a kid, and even the castle is in the background :)

I bring this up today, because on a recent shopping trip with my sister, I saw a little girl who was crying hysterically.  She was telling an older couple that she lost her Mommy.  I asked if they needed help, but the woman was already going to get someone from the store to page the Mom {who was surely as frantic as the little 5 year old was}.  I stayed with the older man, watching for someone.  We tried to calm her.  The older man spoke so kindly to this little girl, I had to turn my head because I started to cry.  I was separated once from one of my daughters for about 20 minutes in a very public place.  It was the longest and worst 20 minutes of my life.  Seeing this little one so worried took me right back to that moment.  What he said to her was so sweet...that she was safe, it was her Mommy who was lost, and we were going to find her. 
Mom came quickly when they paged her, and she was crying just as bad as the little one was.  I ducked into the aisle with the scarves and wiped tears away too.  Thankfully, a happy ending.

The point is, she found the helper.  Years ago, my daughter found the helper.  That's what we need to say to our kids to keep them safe during moments of stress or crisis. 

Those sweet children in the elementary school that day were surrounded with courageous helpers, their teachers.  Even though their outcome may have been tragic, the helpers did everything to save them.  Even then, more good guys {the police, fire, and ambulance personnel}came to make sure they got home safely.  That's what I stressed to my kids.  Terrible things do happen in the world, but the good guys always show up. 

I just thought I'd share that tidbit from Mr.Roger's mom.  A concrete solution to some difficult situations...it has helped me, and I hope it helps you with your own kids too.

Have a great day!

{Jenn}