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.
"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! ♥
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. ♥
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.
When I hear stories about police heroism, like the most recent story of an Oklahoma police officer who saved a woman having a heart attack, my first thought is "ordinary people doing extraordinary things." But the truth is, police officers are anything BUT 'ordinary'. They become extraordinary the day they choose the profession to be a public servant. They go where they are called to go -- regardless of race, color, or religion -- and they go willingly. I am reminded of this scripture:
"Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, 'Whom shall I send?
And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'"
~ Isaiah 6:8
Below are a few of my favorite videos showing the heroism and courage of police officers.
♥
An officer in Blanchard, OK saves a woman's life by performing CPR for 10 minutes
I'm Only One Call Away - Music by Charlie Puth
Florida police in Indian River county respond to a 3-vehicle fiery crash
A friend shared this video on Facebook and it made me smile big! Honestly, there is nothing sweeter than to see a little child running and screaming in excitement with giggles in their heart. They're making happy memories that will carry them through their adult life.
This little sweetheart is the cutest little cupcake suspect I have ever seen. I doubt she will do hard time for this offense. Maybe just a few extra kisses for daddy before he goes to work.
Tuesday, September 20, was the first time in my almost 7 years of serving my friends that I was fearful. I know that harm's way can come at any time, but that day was different. There was an officer involved shooting and now the city of Charlotte was under attack.
They were calling it a protest, but it was much more than that. This was a violent riot by criminals, many of whom DO NOT EVEN LIVE HERE, taking advantage of an opportunity to steal and create havoc.
The first night of "protesting" there was violence, tension, and uncertainty. I listened to my police scanner app for hours as I sat in silence on the edge of my sofa. The communication between the officers and dispatchers was 100% professional -- they were a family united and working together in a crisis.
When 1:00 am came, I felt guilty for getting tired. I felt guilty for needing to sleep while my friends were out there not only fighting for their own life, but fighting to protect the innocent and the property of business owners.
Truth is, this is what police officers do every single day. We work, and they protect. We sleep, and they protect.
I have been worried about my friends. But I am a woman of faith and there has been a lot of conversation and prayers with my Heavenly Father these past two weeks.
Pray for your police officers wherever you live. This nightmare could come to your own backyard.
~ ~
THIS is a peaceful protest.
This IS NOT a peaceful protest.
This IS NOT a peaceful protest.
This IS NOT a peaceful protest.
Watch this....I'll let you decide.
My blue candle continues to shine in my dining room window - all day, every day - to honor my friends behind the badge. It keeps me mindful, now more than ever, what a dangerous job police officers have. It keeps me mindful to pray for them. When the officers drive by, I hope it keepsthem mindful of the lady on the corner who cares about them.
Be safe CMPD guardians of the night....#weseeyou! ♥
The thin blue line - a symbol of camaraderie and devotion between fellow officers - is really not all that thin. It runs deep. It is an eternal bond within the police family. I read this heartwarming story earlier this year and archived it so I could share it with you. This is a story about NYPD (retired) Detective William Brown who almost died alone and forgotten, that is, until his NYPD family stepped in. At 95-years-old, this retired detective was frail, he was feeble, and he was alone.
This story begins in the winter of 2015 when a neighbor called 311 to ask the police to visit Mr. Brown because she hadn't seen him for a few days. He had recently complained that his house had no heat and the temperatures were nearing zero. Officers with the 113th Precinct visited Mr. Brown's home and found it empty and in disarray. The furnace was broken and his home was cold. They eventually found Mr. Brown in the hospital where he was being treated for hypothermia. It didn't take the officers long to realize they were in the presence of a retired NYPD police officer -- one of their own.
PHOTO CREDIT: NYPd
However, serving as an NYPD officer was not Mr. Brown's whole life. In World War II, he fought with the 369th Infantry, known as the Harlem Hellfighters - an all African American infantry unit. In the 1940s, he became a New York City police officer. After retirement, he became a gifted jazz musician who played the saxophone and would "jam with any band." Mr. Brown's 20 year career with the NYPD ended in 1968 with the rank of detective. During that time he received several honors from the department. In 1960, for rescuing a woman and her child from a burning building, in 1962 for apprehending a man with a loaded gun, and in 1964, for arresting an armed burglar. The department's loyalty and appreciation for one of their own came full circle during the retired detective's final months. They sought help from a local church to have the heat restored in the home where Mr. Brown lived for 60 years. They secured his veterans benefits, escorted him to doctor appointments, and visited every Sunday to check on him. They showed this officer that his service to the NYPD meant something. On May 20, 2016, Detective Brown died. With no family or next of kin to claim his body, he was destined to be buried on Hart Island, the city's potters field. But the officers of the 113th intervened to ensure he would have a proper farewell. They arranged a funeral fit for hero, where hundreds of current and former NYPD paid tribute, and they further arranged for his burial at Long Island National Cemetery.
In the end, when it mattered the most, Detective William Brown was no longer alone. He was surrounded by his police family, and he was loved.
♥
Photo Credit: DEBBIE EGAN-CHIN/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Story Credits
Mary McDonnell and Graham Rayman / New York Daily News - Click here.
I LOVE my officer visits when I deliver my cream puffs.
I LOVE the 30 minutes I get to spend with them before, during, and after roll call.
I LOVE the way they cut-up and tease one another, when I know in my heart each one would lay down their life to save the other.
There are 13 CMPD response area offices in Mecklenburg County and I have had the pleasure of visiting all but one.
Last Friday night, I delivered two boxes of cream puffs (30 puffs) to a division across town. It's funny how they're all different -- some officers will dig in before roll call (if time permits), but this division always waits until after. When roll call is over, they dig in.
When roll call finished and 2/3rd's of the puffs were gone, there were two officers eyeing one of the boxes with a worried look on their face. They were a little concerned that the cream puffs would be gone by the time their shift was over. 3rd shift starts at 8:30 pm, 2nd shift returns from their shift around 9:00 pm, and then there's 1st shift....well, they roll in around 6:30 am.
So what does any police officer do if they're extremely concerned all the cream puffs will be gone when their shift is over? They hide them, of course! ♥
I keep a blue candle in my window all year long -- 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to honor my friends behind the badge. It keeps me mindful that they are hard at work. It reminds me to whisper an extra little prayer in case they need it at that very moment. I hope it will remind them that they are thought of and loved. I am not altogether sure they know the blue candle is for them, but that's OK....I know it's for them.
♥
Here's a cool clamp I purchased at my local Ace Hardware Store. It secures the candle to the window with a suction cup and holds the candle in place. It is a seasonal item, so I doubt you can find it there right now, but they're available on Amazon. Just search for "Window Candle Clamps". The prices vary and they come 4/pack.
The blue C7 bulbs are also available on Amazon. Very reasonable. Don't get the transparent ones...they don't shine as bright.
Purely by happenstance (I love that word), I started making amateur videos when a friend wanted a video made to commemorate her sister's 60th birthday and asked if I could help. Up until that point, I had never made a video. My friend comes from a large family and large families take lots of pictures and, boy, did she ever have a lot of pictures! I really learned a lot with that first video.
Making videos suit me I think and I enjoy making them. Unless there is a stressful deadline, it is very therapeutic. I learn something new every time I make a new one, and I have enjoyed watching my progress over the last few years.
I have made two community service videos for my friends at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department using photos from their Facebook page (w/ permission) and below is the most recent. I follow CMPD's Facebook page and when they share a picture I think I can use, I save it. When I eventually have enough pictures, another video is born.
I love these friends of mine.
This is Officer Spencer....he is in this video, but I wanted to give him a shout-out because he was so sweet to me during my foot surgery last year. It was a very physically and challenging time for me, but calls and visits (like his) kept my spirits up. He has such a kind heart. He brought me a few Starbucks Mocha Frappucinos when he was in my area, and out of the blue one night, texted me to see if I needed anything. It meant the world to me. Your kindness won't be forgotten, Sir.
What a treasured piece of Charlotte police history that almost went undiscovered.
When I was working on the first memorial video to honor the 30 Charlotte officers who have died in the line of duty, I contacted a friend of mine, an amazing genealogist, whenever I needed clarification on a date or name spelling -- I was trying to be as thorough as possible. This was long before my video would come to rest on the desk of two CMPD directors and would eventually be viewed by the CMPD Command Staff.
I asked my genealogist friend, Kat, for help on the Chief of Detectives Joseph E. Orr's name, and she sent me a newspaper article from the Charlotte Observer dated March 20, 1932.
And here's the big surprise....this article wasn't about the fallen officer in my video, Joseph E. Orr, but rather, his FATHER, Joseph L. Orr. Turns out CMPD fallen officer Joseph E. Orr's father was also a police officer for the Charlotte Police Department, and he served and protected the citizens of Charlotte with only ONE ARM!
Below are a few highlights from the original newspaper article written by Mrs. Sam Presson which left me in awe of this AMAZING Charlotte police officer, Joseph L. Orr:
A little background
Joseph L. Orr was born on March 13, 1835 in Sugaw Creek township of Mecklenburg County.
He was one of nine children.
Mr. Orr served in the Civil War with his five brothers and lost his arm in the Battle of Chancellorsville.
Due to his injuries, Mr. Orr could no longer serve and was sent home with an honorable discharge.
In 1866, this one-armed veteran, Joseph L. Orr, joined the Charlotte Police Department.
He served on the Charlotte Police Department for 40 years.
Despite having only one arm, Mr. Orr was an excellent officer, arresting all offenders without regard to class or condition. He was always fair and fearless.
He was an expert with a revolver and in times of riot, which were not infrequent in reconstruction days, he never hesitated to use his gun when it was necessary.
One of Joseph L. Orr's sons, Joseph E. Orr, followed in his father's footsteps and joined the Charlotte Police Department. According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, Joseph E, Orr served on the Charlotte Police Department for 15 years. Chief of Detectives Joseph E. Orr, was involved in an automobile accident with his partner, Detective John Byers, on September 28, 1926. The Chief of Detectives Orr succumbed to his injuries the following day, September 29, and his partner, Detective John Byers, died September 30.
When Mr. Orr (senior) died on April 16, 1906, as a mark of esteem and respect, a policeman was placed at the door of Mr. Orr's home and remained on duty at his house until the funeral.
I wish I could sit and have a conversation with Mr. Orr. I would like to shake his hand and say thank you.
Rest in piece sir and thank you for your service. You are being remembered 110 years after your death for your service to the citizens of Charlotte-Mecklenburg.
A friend of mine has been wanting me to show her how I frost the cream puffs that I make for my police officers. She enjoys making mini-cupcakes for her grandchildren's classroom and thought this frosting effect would be a nice touch to her own treats.
So I told her I would make a video the next time I made cream puffs for my friends in blue if I could manage holding the camera phone in one hand and the frosting bag in the other, and I have to say, despite my head-cold, I think this turned out kind of cute.
Wilton Tip: 1M
I haven't made deviled eggs in eons, but I think using this technique for filling deviled eggs would make them really cute. I would think it would make the filling process go by much faster too!
Since 1892, 30 Charlotte officers have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Seven of the 30 officers have lost their life since my move to Charlotte in 1991. A terribly sad statistic.
I honored these officers on July 14, 2012 in a blog story called "End of watch ... we'll take it from here", and for the past two months, I have been working on a special video to honor them again.
It has been a privilege to learn more about these officers the past two months. While my video was still in the developing stage, there were many nights I would drive home after work thinking about the video that I would start working on again when I got home. The song that I chose to accompany the video would run through my head and every face would cross my thoughts. What an honor that I could now call these 30 officers by name...."that's Officer Nichols, that's Officer Coleman, Officer Moran, Detective Correll."
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has so beautifully honored these officers on their memorial page. To learn more about these courageous officers, please visit www.cmpd.org.
Forever honored....never forgotten.
Rest in peace, Sir.
This poem written by John Donne seemed so appropriate, so I used it in my video. Many people think this poem was written by Ernest Longfellow, but in fact, Mr. Donne published this hundreds of years earlier. Ernest Longfellow's book "For Whom the Bell Tolls", published in 1940, made this famous quote even more popular.
"Any man's death diminishes me,
because I am involved in mankind,
and therefore never send to know for
whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."
~ John Donne
I remain prayerful every day that we see no other officers fall in the line of duty. May God bless and protect you all.
The first time I made Chicken Pot Pie for my friends was on May 6, 2012 and there was NOTHING easy about it. I followed a recipe from another blog and I made the gravy from scratch, and it was so hard to get the thickness just right without losing flavor. It was just way too time-consuming if you asked me (and expensive). And I will go back to what I have said before -- scratch is not always better.
Also, the last pot pies I made I put in individual ramekins. It was a cute presentation, but these hearty appetites could eat 2-3 of them and I think it made them feel guilty (like there wouldn't be enough for everyone), so nothing says "dig in boys" like three 13" x 9" Chicken Pot Pies!
On Sunday, June 15, 2014, I made three 13" x 9" pot pies. As you can see, I had a little fun personalizing these pies using the extra dough from the dough-overlap and the alpha-cookie cutters that I purchased from my favorite kitchen store, Sur La Tab. They loved them!
Officer G. said if I were to ever open a restaurant, Pot Pie has to be on the top of the menu...the "Blue Plate Special." It is such a satisfying meal and the ultimate comfort food.
So here it is, August 3, 2015 -- eight months from when I started this blog post. I made one more pot pie so I could finish this recipe and share it.
This is not rocket science and I have probably 'over-explained'. Please keep in mind it is just boxed pie crust, canned soup, and canned vegetables. Use your own judgement on how much chicken and vegetables to add to the soup. I like more gravy in my pot pie, so I usually keep a watch on that when adding the ingredients to the soup.
Here's what you need for a 13" x 9" pan (plus milk). You can cut this recipe in half for a smaller pie (see below).
Easy Chicken Pot Pie
Filling
1 rotisserie chicken (deboned and shredded -- set aside two cups of shredded chicken)
1/2 Vidalia sweet onion - diced and sauteed
1 14.5 oz. can Cut Green Beans (drained)
1 14.5 oz. can sliced Carrots (drained)
1 11 oz. can Green Giant Shoe Peg White Corn (drained)
1/2 can 8.5 oz Peas (drained) *optional...not everybody likes them
Note: Some people prefer the frozen vegetables in their pot pie. I have used frozen veggies before, but after making it both way, my personal preference was the canned vegetables, but frozen is very good too. The brand PicSweet has a frozen vegetable medley that doesn't have lima beans, so I used that brand. :)
Sauce
2 cans Campbell's Cream of Chicken (regular kind - it has the best flavor )
2 soup cans of Whole Milk
Smidgen of Garlic Powder (I forgot to measure....try 1/8 of a teaspoon for this size. Less than that for the smaller pie). I will measure next time and revise this.
Salt and Pepper
Crust
2 boxes refrigerated Pillsbury Pie Crust (DO NOT SUBSTITUTE)
1 egg/2 tablespoons water (for the egg wash)
To make the sauce
In a large bowl, empty the two cans of soup and add 2 soup cans of whole milk. Slowly whisk until the soup and the milk are mixed together. I removed the cubes of chicken from the soup as I was whisking it, but that's up to you. Add a little salt and pepper and whisk again.
To make the filling
Empty the canned vegetables in a colander and drain well before adding to the sauce/soup mix.
Debone and shred the rotisserie chicken. My preference is white meat, but use what you like. Set aside 2 cups of shredded chicken for the pie. Dice and saute the onion in a little olive oil until translucent. Add the onions to the drained vegetables and gently stir or toss in the colander, before adding to the soup mix. Add vegetables to the soup and gently stir. Fold in about 2 cups of shredded chicken. I make chicken salad with any leftover chicken - delicious!
For the bottom crust
Line the bottom of a 13"x9" ungreased lasagna pan w/ two crust rounds. Greasing the pan will make the crust slide when you pre-bake it (trust me.) Overlap the two dough rounds and trim about one-fourth from each round. Work the dough with your fingers to make it seamless. Cut awayaway the excess dough on top and underneath.
Overlap the two dough rounds and trim about one-fourth from each round. Work the dough with
your fingers to make seamless. If you cut too short, just add extra dough from what
you discarded and work it in.
Work the dough so it fits the entire pan. The bottom obviously won't need as much attention as the top. Hopefully, my pictures below will explain. If you cut off too much dough, then just take the scraps of dough and fix it.
Puncture the dough with a fork and bake at 350 degrees for about 15-20 minutes or until lightly brown. I forgot to set the clock, but I think it was about 15 minutes. Start checking it at 15 minutes.
Add your vegetable mixture on top of the partially cooked bottom crust.
For the top crust, prepare the same way as the bottom (making the crust seamless and cut away the excess dough on top and underneath.)
Use a fork to make the ridges around the rim of the pot pie.With the excess dough, use your favorite cookie cutter and make a cute decoration for the top.
Make your crust shiny
1 egg
2 tablespoons water
Beat water and egg well with a fork. After the egg is mixed well, if you still see the thick egg white, you can remove it easily with a fork. For more information on egg washes, click here.
With a basting brush, baste the entire top of pie crust (edges too) before putting it in the oven. Don't forget to puncture holes on top to let the steam escape.
Place on a baking sheet (you can see a partial picture below) and bake at 350 degrees for approx. 55-60 minutes until golden brown. I started checking my pie at about 45 minutes.
If the top piece doesn't quite fit the corners, use some of the
extra dough and work it in.
I made one for AHOP too! :)
For a smaller pie, say for 4 people, use only:
ONE can of Campbell's Cream of Chicken Soup
ONE soup can of whole milk
ONE box Pillsbury Pie Crust
Use 1/4 sauted onion, the smaller 8 oz. cans of vegetables (cut green beans, whole kernel corn, sliced carrots and a few peas if you like them.)
Drain all vegetables in a colander before adding to the soup mix.
1 rotisserie chicken -- use one cup of shredded chicken for the pot pie. I use the leftover shredded chicken and make chicken salad for a delicious sandwich or a cold plate.
Follow the same instructions for the crust (above).
When I first moved to Charlotte 24-years-ago, I would take Saturday and Sunday drives trying to get the 'lay of the land'. I can't remember how I came to find this quaint little town called Waxhaw, but once I did, I visited fairly often (and still do). It was just a nice drive - straight up Providence Road - lots of vacant land and countryside.
Well, it's not quite so vacant anymore....the secret is out! Beautiful residential neighborhoods have sprouted just about everywhere you look, but the little downtown area of Waxhaw is still as charming as it was so many years ago - like a little 'Mayberry' - untouched by big developers who tend to tear down architectural structure and history.
Photo Credit: Waxhaw Police Department
With my desire to move someday to a neighboring town like Waxhaw, Mint Hill (or just somewhere else), I thought it was time to show a little AHOP hospitality to the officers and staff at the Waxhaw Police Department. I have been wanting to do something for these officers for a long time, so my visit was long overdue.
Something else long overdue was a new facility for these officers. Their new home, pictured on the right, was finished in June 2014, replacing their old 125-year-old station. I have secretly been wanting to take a peek inside.
So while I was out on sabbatical with my foot in a cast, I designed a candy bar wrapper for the Waxhaw Police Department and made the delivery during my lunch hour. I called their office one day while I was out on leave and talked to a nice lady who gave me the information I needed for the back of the wrapper. I promised them a box of cream puffs as soon as AHOP gets her groove back 100%.
I hope my visit will remind them that they are appreciated and thought of often -- far beyond their own city limits.
"What goes around, comes around"....we have all heard that before, right? It's the first thing I think of when I have been wronged or my feelings have been hurt.
But it goes the other way too. If you treat people the way you would want to be treated and give of yourself in friendship, you hope that someday, when you need help the most, your kindness will come back around.
This is the 3rd month my kitchen has been closed. On April 24, I had foot surgery. I had hoped my support system would be better than it was when I had surgery 7 years ago, and wow, was it ever! And it wasn't that the friends I had weren't great the last time, it's like there just wasn't enough of them. They all had jobs, a family, and their own life. There is only so much you can ask of your friends, after all, a 2-3 month recuperation period is a long time. I don't know what I did to deserve all of this, but I thank God that my good friends have almost tripled. I am still in this ski boot for another month, but I am hopeful that with the next blog post, I will be up-and-running and doing what I love to do.
In case anyone has been wondering, here is a little look-back at my recovery the last 2+ months and a way for me to acknowledge and thank my fantastic friends. I think they know me well enough that when they are faced with big life stuff....I will be there.
♥
Lots of pictures to pass the time -- starting with the
first night home.
The first four weeks I was in this non-weight bearing/no walking fiberglass cast. Very physically exhausting.
A minor set-back On May 22, I had a doctor's appointment for an x-ray and to have
the hard cast cut-off. The x-rays showed that the screw holding the two bones together
had slipped, so now there was a slight gap between the two bones. The
doctor didn’t seem to be too concerned and said it would still be OK….it would
just take longer to heal. It was just a little set-back -- a pebble in the road -- and we would get through it. He removed the cast and put me in a black ski boot for another two months (no weight-bearing). On June 5, I had another x-ray. The doctor could
see some improvement, but ordered another three weeks of no
weight-bearing (in the ski boot). On June 26, another x-ray, and the doctor released me to return to work (in the ski boot) with light walking, using crutches or the knee scooter. Getting around the office w/ crutches is really just too hard, so I use my scooter at the office and save my light walking for around the house.
This knee scooter was a lifesaver and made it easy to get around the house. Getting off the sofa without putting weight on the foot was the big challenge.
My amazing support system made up of work colleagues, neighbors, friends, and a few officers. It takes a village and they all played a part in keeping my spirits up. Even Mary w/ the Firestone Complete Auto Care in Ballantyne called to check on me. Wow! I have delivered cream puffs to them a few times. No doubt, more cream puffs are guaranteed after I'm moving about 100%.
I obviously didn't take pictures of every act of kindness (I wish I had), but below are just a few highlights of the last two months. If I were to list everything, this blog post would be as long as the United States Constitution. My cup runneth over.
~ ~ ~
This is Ofc. Herrera. We were already good friends before my surgery, but Ofc. Herrera is one officer more than happy to show his appreciation for all the cooking and volunteering I do for the CMPD. We have been friends since the very first night he ate a meal at my table. Throughout my recovery, he was so thoughtful to call me on his way to work to see how my day was and he would ask if I needed anything. He stopped by with dinner a few times, large sweet teas from McD's, and he even remembered trash day and would wheel my container out to the curb if it was full. One afternoon on his day off, he and his beautiful wife stopped to visit and they brought me lunch. I am so grateful. I have no doubt my friendship with this officer and his family will continue long after he retires. He has a such good heart. ♥
The first three weeks were the hardest because I was weak from the surgery and it was very hard getting around without putting weight on my hurt foot. How I was going to get my morning coffee was a little worrisome, but a few friends came to my rescue (thanks to Teresa, Charlotte, and Sheilah.) There were a bunch of days I went without coffee and I probably should've taken advantage of the opportunity to stop drinking it altogether, but I enjoy it too much.
This is Ofc. Spencer who stopped by on his day off and a few other times. Another officer who was so kind to check on me throughout my recovery. It's really hard to go through big life stuff when you don't have family here. He brought me my favorite Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino each time he could stop by. I loved to get that text message that said...."I'm near a Starbucks...do you want something?" When your normal routine comes to a halt and you can't get out and about, it means a lot to have a treat like this and to know that you are thought of. Ofc. Spencer has a kind soul and his thoughtfulness is genuine. ♥
Here's one of Ofc. Spencer's text messages....just a few words meant so much.
There is not enough I can say about my friend, Teresa. We are sisters from another mister, that's for sure. Teresa also knows first-hand how humbling it is to have to call on others when you're faced with a life challenge. She has been my driver to all of my post-surgery doctor appointments; she picked up my groceries, treats, dinner, and sweet tea from McD's. She would not only pick up what I asked for, but she would call me en route asking about other things she might be able to do for me while she was out and about. Wow, is all I can say. She knows all of my food cravings now. We both got into the Downton Abbey PBS series while I was out and she would come over and watch 2-3 episodes with me at a time. Good company and a great friend! Everything she did for me was with a cheerful heart. ♥
Thank you, Kim! Kim and I have known each other since the mid-80s. She made homemade chicken fettuccine alfredo, caesar salad, sweet tea, and some amazing chocolate cake. She made us after dinner coffee and pretty much waited on me hand and foot with a cheerful heart. She also brought me roses from her garden in what she called a 'redneck vase' (a Mason Jar). Kim lives at least 45-50 minutes away, so this visit was a labor of love. I enjoyed every minute our visit. ♥
Crystal and I have been friends on Facebook for about five years and this was the first time we had met. She brought me much more than my personal request of some corn-on-the-cob from Aldi's. She brought me a rotisserie chicken and all the stuff to go with it. It was all delicious! I loved her cast art! It took just a few minutes for me to know we are kindred spirits. ♥
Thank you, Mark and Sherri....you were so sweet to get me out of the house and take me to one of my favorite restaurants. You both were so cute to make sure I didn't fall or wobble getting down the stairs. I had so much fun that night and the cool air on my face felt wonderful! You both are adorable and I love you very much! ♥
Another friend was very sweet to pick me up one morning to take me to a nearby Waffle House for breakfast. I needed my Waffle House fix. Tee, a waitress there, came over and asked if she could sign my cast. She said she had always wanted to sign a cast, so I told her I would be happy for her to sign mine. Tee has waited on me many, many times over the years. She has a hard job and I have never seen her without a smile on her face.
One of my favorite songs and such great words to live by...."What You Give Away" w/ Vince Gill and Sheryl Crow.
Gifts
I have friends with giving hearts....I received a bunch of cards too! :)
