Monday, January 30, 2017

The lady who cooks for us....

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department

This is CMPD's beautiful police headquarters located in downtown Charlotte. I took this photo last Winter after a cream puff drop.

Those who work here might take its beauty for granted, but not me....I love everything about it. Its majestic exterior architecture, built specifically for CMPD in 1996, and how they have kept the right amount of old and mixed it with the new when they have updated and remodeled the interior over the years. But most of all, I love the people inside.

Last Saturday night I volunteered in the gift shop. I didn't set up a treat table so I parked in the visitor lot for the first time instead of the parking deck, and I was so glad I did.

Since I went in the front door, I had to take the elevator down to the lower level to get to the gift shop. When the elevator doors opened, there stood one of my South Division officers who was with his beautiful wife and his visiting in-laws. It was kind of surreal because it was about 10:15 pm, so I didn't expect to see him there. They had just come from the basketball game downtown and I guess he was showing his family around.

The officer seemed just as surprised to see me as I was so see him. We hugged and then he introduced me to his family...."This is the lady I was telling you about who cooks for us", he said. It made me smile big that my name had come up in a conversation with his family.

This officer has sat at my table many, many times over the past seven years, and has probably eaten everything I know how to cook. I haven't seen him in a while, so I asked if he was still with the South Division, and he said he was.

The next time I plan a meal, I will ask the sergeant for this officer's schedule to make sure I cook on a day or night that he is working. That doesn't necessarily mean he'll be able to come because they're so busy, but at least he'll know the AHOP light is on and I'll save a place for him at the table.

 

                                                                                   ♥   

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

You're always welcome here....

"Come by anytime, with or without cream puffs. You are one of the family and you're always welcome here!", replied the sergeant when I sent an email this week to schedule a cream puff delivery.

Well, who wouldn't love a welcome like that. Thank you for your kind note, Sir!  ♥   



Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Worth the wait....

I made a cream puff delivery earlier this month to the sweet 3rd shift officers in the Westover Division. They moved to a beautiful new office last April, so I was happy to finally see where it was located and visit for a few minutes.  

When I left my house that night, I hadn't planned on asking for a picture, but when I walked into roll call with two boxes of cream puffs in hand, it just came out! I had met the nice sergeant a few weeks earlier, so I didn't feel as nervous as I do during some of my visits. The words came out before I could stop them! I said...."Could I get a picture? After seven years of serving you guys, it would mean so much to me to have a picture to look back on when I am an old lady and can no longer serve."

Truth be known, I have been feeling a little left out lately. I have seen numerous officer/citizen pictures on Facebook the past several years, and after seven years of serving my friends, I didn't have a picture of my own. 
Maybe that's how all the other citizens have gotten a picture...they just had to ask. I have never asked out of respect for the officer's privacy, but I wanted a picture before I got much older.  :) There is no better way to timestamp your life than a photograph.

They were happy to oblige and, as you can see, they made me very happy too. I smile big every time I look at it.  

This picture will have a special place in my home. If I can get 11 more pictures, I think I'll make myself a calendar, ha-ha.
Thank you Westover Division for making this old girl happy. ♥
  

Saturday, January 7, 2017

2016 'Year in Review'

Happy New Year everyone!

With 2017 well on it's way, I wanted to share a 'Year in Review' video that I put together to honor my friends and highlight their hard work in 2016. They had a very busy year fighting and solving crime, but they also enjoyed the fun part of their job -- engaging with the community and strengthening relationships.

I shared my video with CMPD and I am happy to say it was very well-received and shared throughout the department and on social media. 

Wishing you all a safe and prosperous new year!  ♥