Touched

Today was a day that quite honestly moved me beyond words. I attended the funeral for a police officer who was killed in the line of duty last week. I wanted to attend to be there for Aaron...I knew it would be a day that would bring up emotions in him that he keeps deeply buried. There were I think about 2,000 officers there from different departments in Texas...that was the first thing that struck me. The sight of these men and women in uniform...all together...there for nothing more than support and respect was moving in itself. The fact that these men and women were mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, daughters, and sons...just like my husband...left me in awe. I look at officers completely different now than I did before...they are people...who have families and lives and loved ones at home...just like everyone else. After the service...Aaron rode in a patrol car to the cemetary and I joined in the procession line...took me FOREVER to figure out how to turn on my flashers! I never thought that Home Depot would make me cry...but the sight of their employees...standing on the side of the rode...with American flags waving...saluting this officer...brought me to tears...and they did not stop. A few feet up...a man holding his little boy...flag waving from the back of their truck...little boy with his hand on his heart...Dad whispering in his ear. All the way up the highway...people had not only stopped their cars...but got out to salute and witness. A man and his two kids kneeling in the grass...holding their flag...waving. A woman on the opposite side of the rode...out of her car...saluting. And on EVERY overpass...a firetruck and firemen...paying their respects, too. I'm telling you...I stand amazed. Now I will tell you...that God does have a sense of humor...because the girls at Flashdancer were also standing outside to witness...which I'm ashamed to say...made me giggle. The service at the cemetary was one of the most moving things I have ever experienced. I don't even know how to put it in words...so just take my word for it. I also had the opportunity this weekend to spend some time with the Wive's Association...a group of ladies that I LOVE. I am amazed by the amount of support these women give each other and the friendship that we share. We met on Saturday to talk about how we and our husbands were grieving and how we could help them...and how we could best help the family that this officer left behind. We helped run a hospitality room at a hotel for the family and other officers that were in town. And today we were there to support each other and our husbands. Several of the ladies have made multiple visits to this officer's wife to take dinner, etc. It is just an amazing group of women and I am honored to call them my friends. I have also been struck this past week by the power in God's work. I do not understand all of the decisions that he makes...but I am amazed in that the paths our lives take that are hindered with sorrow...he opens our heart to the beauty he provides us. The love and support I have felt through the department, wives, and community this week has been nothing short of amazing. I am left in awe. I do not know how this officer's wife will recover...but I know she will. I do not know what I would do if I were in her shoes...but I know I would not be there alone. It's almost too much to even think about or process. I just pray every night that my prayers reach her. I pray every night that God will wrap his arms around her...comfort her...and heal her heart. I pray every night that God brings my husband home to me safe. If you have not said I Love You's in awhile, please do. Tell them every day...every night...every conversation...every time they walk out your door.