Serve and protect

The alarm went off at 4:30 a.m. and he fought the urge to hit the snooze and roll back over.  A right eyelid opened, followed by his left. The room was dark except for the feint glow of the red digital alarm clock. The dog stretched and began snoring again.  One foot hit the floor, followed by the other.  The cold floor was the day’s first greeting.

A quick shower and shave was followed by putting on the his clothes.  He stumbled out in the kitchen and checked the coffee pot. Nope, not ready yet.  His pulse depended on his daily caffeine fix.  The pot’s gurgling stopped and he poured a big cup of joe. No cream. No sugar. Just pure, life-giving goodness.  On the other side of the house, his children were sleeping.

He strapped on his gun and put on his badge.  He’d walk out the door in a few minutes not knowing what the day would throw at him.  Each traffic stop. Every domestic violence call.  Words on the radio that made his heart chill.  The iPad began to glow at his touch and he read the news coverage of the fine Pearl Police Officer who lost his life the day before.  He had left the house yesterday morning just like everyone else — expecting to come home and kiss his wife and hug his child.  A thug had stolen that from him forever.

The police officer quietly walked into his children’s rooms and kissed their sleeping faces on the cheek. And then he went back into his room and gently woke his wife.  “I love you.” She looked at him sleepily and said, “I love you, too. Be safe today.”

He smiled. “I will.”  He would never take this moment for granted again.

And then he walked out the door, not knowing what the day would bring.