Operation: BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS

Dear Gentle Friends:

I am initiating Operation: Blessed Are the Peacemakers. After the recent tragedy in Melbourne, it made me mindful of what our first responders must deal with on a daily basis. Consequently, I wrangled some of my Melbourne friends to show some love and gratitude to the Melbourne Fire Department and the Melbourne Police Department. Over the Easter and Passover weekend, I am asking all of you to in some way show your appreciation for these daily heroes. Maybe, you will bring them cards. Maybe, you will say thanks in person. Maybe, you’ll bring some cheesy potatoes (that’s what I would do if I were in town). Whatever you do, please do something. Even if it is just sharing an uplifting story on Facebook of what they have been to your family, then please do that. To start the conversation, I will briefly share some of my own wonderful observations. As all my friends know, I don’t share much on social media—hopefully, my prior economy of words will help you know the depth of feeling I have on this subject.

1) Officer Barrow of FHP—he investigated the car accident that killed my uncle, killed my grandmother, and almost killed my mother and my aunt. He came to court and hugged us when it looked the young man who had caused the accident would not receive any repercussions. He stood there when the young man cried with us and apologized and gave us closure. Officer Barrow gave us peace in the face of horrific tragedy.
2) Officer Zipsie of Blanchardville Police Department—he investigated my husband’s DUI/OWI. He took my husband to jail while being screamed at and cursed while Lowell was still drunk and belligerent. He drove back from the jail (an hour roundtrip without time added in for booking Lowell), and he drove me in the opposite direction into Madison because Lowell had crashed both of our personal vehicles just so I could get a rental car.
3) NYPD—bought hot chocolates and coffee for my mother, my daughter, and my niece for no other reason than they found out they were tourists and wanted to make them feel welcome to their town.
4) Officer Capo, #4538, Detective Higgins #375, Fire Station #71-handling the recent case of neglect and later the tragic death of a baby—a baby they tried to help with every possible resource available to them. Dedicated peacemakers and public servants who still must return to the field without praise and carrying a heavy burden.
5) Officer Feld, Officer (Ret.) Geiselman, Officer Payne—public servants who daily rise above innumerable challenges of working as a peacemaker. Officer Feld—who is an esteemed role model at Lyman High; she sacrifices daily to keep the peace. Officer Geiselman—a retired community police officer; he worked to create strong relationships of honor and respect and, like Officer Feld, showed young people what cops are really about. Officer Payne—who works to bring down tensions and is a free walking advertisement of how peacekeepers should act.

Every day. Every day, these peacemakers lay their lives on the line for us. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God (Matthew 5:9)