The Edge of Empty

For several years now, we have made it a tradition to support the Officer Down Memorial Page  (ODMP) by participating in the Police Week 5k .  The number of family members who participate varies from year to year but I must say that the best year for me was the one that all four of us ran.  Since Youngest is majoring in Police Studies (like his Mama--aaahh), I don't see this tradition coming to an end any time soon. Each year, the race finishes adjacent to the National Law Enforcement Memorial.  This is a sobering yet fitting reminder of the reason for Police Week. Last year ,  I discussed the memorial a bit.  This year I wanted to focus more on the reasons for the memorial and what it represents. One of the most emotional aspects of participating in the 5k is that each runner is assigned a fallen officer for whom they run.  This year, the Hubster will be running for  Deputy Sheriff Robert Leo Britton, Jr.  of Smith County Sheriff's Office ...

As anyone in Law Enforcement can tell you, the Law Enforcement Torch Run benefiting Special Olympics is a special event that takes place across the country and around the world culminating in the lighting of the Olympic torch at the opening ceremony of the summer Special Olympic games.  The torch run was begun in Kansas City in 1981 by a police chief who saw a need and was moved to action.  The International Association of Chiefs of Police soon adopted the cause and the torch run has grown to become one of the largest fund raisers for Special Olympics. Special Olympics provides so much for the athletes and is something that the athletes benefit from year round.  The best way to describe the spirit that I have seen in the athletes is competition with love.  It is rare these days to see a fellow athlete demonstrate caring for his competitors.  This attitude is shown every day across the country in Special Olympics venues though. The sports events also become soc...

As anyone in Law Enforcement can tell you, the Law Enforcement Torch Run benefitting Special Olympics is a special event that takes place across the country and around the world culminating in the lighting of the Olympic torch at the opening ceremony of the summer Special Olympic games.  The torch run was begun in Kansas City in 1981 by a police chief who saw a need and was moved to action.  The International Association of Chiefs of Police soon adopted the cause and the torch run has grown to become one of the largest fund raisers for Special Olympics.  Special Olympics provides so much for these athletes and is something that the athletes benefit from year round.  The best way to describe the spirit that I have seen in the athletes is competition with love.  It is rare these days to see a fellow athlete demonstrate caring for his competitors.  This attitude is shown every day across the country in Special Olympics venues. The sports events also become so...

Two weeks ago, the Hubster completed a project that had been in the works for more than two years.  I must say that I would have given up on the project ages ago, but he persevered and his effort has finally paid off.  Here is a clue: June 2011 Do you have any guesses as to what that project might have been? No? Here is another clue: June 2011 Any guesses? After 20+ years of short military haircuts (which he kept even after retirement), he decided to grow his hair for Wigs for Kids .  When he announced his plan, I was surprised-this is a man who loves to get his haircut.  I can't even tell you how much we have spent over the years on his bi-weekly cut--the shorter the better.  See the skin showing in the photo above?  That is what the back of his head looked like for most of the 23 years that I knew him before this project. Now, I will concede that his hair does grow fast, but I don't think either of us knew how long it would take to get to the...