It’s New Year’s Eve 2018, so of course all of us are reflecting back on our year and thinking about all that happened. Of course there are happy moments to look back on and then some things I’m sure we wish wouldn’t have happened or would have gone a different way. I know first responders aren’t the only ones to struggle with this, but looking back can be a difficult thing for them. It can bring up memories of that one call that replays in their mind all of the time. Or it can remind them of that scene that truly broke their heart and left them trying to put themselves back together to keep working the scene. It can bring back the moments of pure evil that they have to witness and the awful images that come with it. Looking back in this way can certainly take a toll on someone.
My hope for each of my law enforcement friends is that as they reflect that they would also remember the times when they really made a difference. The call where someone was truly safer because you showed up to help. The call where children were taken from a dangerous situation because you were there to help them. The call where you caught the person who harmed someone and would probably do it again if the opportunity arose. That traffic stop where you got someone with a lot of drugs off the street or someone intoxicated out from behind the wheel. That call where you were able to provide groceries or a place to stay to a family in need. The call where the conversation you had with someone was able to calm them down and keep them from following through with a plan to harm themselves. The time when you made someone so happy because you recovered something stolen from them. The day that you gave a homeless person something to eat or a blanket/jacket to keep them warm. These are just a few examples. The list would be much longer if I took time to mention every way that officers can make a difference.
As with life in general, the good and positive things are so much harder to remember because the negative and the things that went wrong come to mind so much easier. For most of us, the negative things don’t come with the same images that it does for first responders. That’s why I find so much joy in what I get to do. I get to be a listening ear and hopefully a voice of hope for the officers in those moments. Then I get to have a front row seat to see all of the great things that these officers do on each shift. I get to see the people they help and the difference they make even when they don’t notice it or give themselves the credit they deserve. Then I do my best to remind them of it so they don’t forget when the difficult moments come up.
As we go into 2019, I want to encourage you to do something. We could all use more reminders of the way our presence on this earth makes a difference. If someone does something that truly makes a difference for you or for someone else, take time to tell them about it. I’m not talking about the “fluffy” compliments that we give pretty freely, but really let someone know when they do something that matters. Officers could definitely use more of this feedback and encouragement. If you have an officer come out to a call at your home or business and they really help, take time to write up a compliment for them. This goes to the Chief and is a pat on the back for them. It helps them to know that what they do matters. Here is the link: https://www.galvestontx.gov/752/Commendations-and-Complaints
I would love for officers to get to the end of 2019 and have a strong sense of purpose and joy in what they do. It would be such a welcome change for the positive voices to be much louder than the negative. I know the difficult calls will still come, but celebrating with them when things are good can certainly bring some balance.
