Book Review

The book my dad wrote is called "Education of a Street Cop" and it's autobiographical of his life over the span of about four years.  He chronicles stories and introduces relationships that are key to the development of his sense of self, as well as his sense of an ethical, well functioning society that is protected by its uniformed police force.  The chronicles within this book offer readers a detailed look at what life was like as an officer working the graveyard shift in a middle class suburban county.  But, not only does it offer a glimpse into the kind of adrenaline-racing calls that a police officer faces, it teaches the historical and philosophical evolution that affect the moral and ethics development within the structure of a police department at the time.  The talented writer shapes each story (and even each relationship) into something that is important and meaningful to our understanding of what life is like as a rookie street cop is "educated."

I believe my dad needed to write this book.  Not only are the stories captivating and engaging, but they each provide a specific and important "lesson" that is outlined so that we readers may better understand how the true stories within the book directly attribute to the morals and ethics my father hold, even today.  The lessons are relational to the main character as he matures as a street cop.  But, the author also matures as a man with strong moral values and in turn, he unwillingly develops a contempt for modern day interferences that come with government structure and systems.  The main character so strongly desires to do his job the way he was taught: to be an agent of protection in the department he serves. But, his daily struggles to bring peace to the community are thwarted by his superiors time and again - and as we read through to the last page, we understand how this happens.  As his audience, we find ourselves rooting for the author and the other main character in the story who exemplify simplicity and authenticity.

The book is written with each "lesson" or story providing an outline for the bigger picture, which involves a main character by the name of Giapappa.  Giapappa is a man of mystery, much like the author.  While reading, you can't help but root for these two men of honor, while hoping that their relationship will reveal itself to be one of hope and triumph.   In the end, the reader is not disappointed; though the outcome is a far cry from triumph over the scandalous broken system of government oversight and regulation.

This book was dedicated to me and my brother. I first learned that my dad authored it on Christmas morning.   I opened it as my kids opened their Christmas gifts under the warmth of the lit up tree.  When I read the dedication, I found myself speechless and I quickly was overcome with emotion.  This book is an amazing gift; it illustrates  what kind of work my dad was doing while my brother and I were safe and warm in our beds at night and into the early mornings.  The setting of this book occurs when I was about 2 years old, my brother four or five.  While the vulgar language within the book will likely catch many of its readers off guard, I can admit that the filthy words were commonly overheard as I tried to get to know my father when I was a little girl.  The vulgarity is not meant to be offensive to you or me, it is exemplary of the writer's authenticity and of the scrupulous nature of the graveyard shift at the time.  I honestly admire my father's candidacy and transparency as he writes these true stories which portray his innocence and ignorance and later his wisdom and experience, despite the unavoidable upsets of alcohol, management, and untrustworthy relationships.

The best Christmas present

I was really surprised this Christmas. Twice! My sweet husband got me what I really really wanted, even though he wasn't supposed to buy me anything (ahem!). I fully intended to save my money through my birthday to get it myself.  That cheater. He rocks.

I got a lot more than that this Christmas.  I got the absolutely priceless gift of watching my kids light up with each gift. (Pictures soon!) I got to see my "Secret Santa" family member figure out who I was. I even got a beautiful gift from Julia that she made just for me (and her dad) while away at school.  But, the best gift I got this year isn't like any of those.

This year, I opened a package and found a raw, true labor of love from my daddy.  As it turns out, he has spent the first part of this whole year writing a book!  He is now a published author, and his story is dedicated to me and my brother.  Nobody knew he was busy writing this book - not even his wife. He kept it a secret so that the masterpiece could be opened on Christmas morning!  This book was given to me, my brother and my step-mom (aka OM) on Christmas morning. As each of us opened our individual presents, we were startled and confused...  how could someone have spent so much time, so much creative energy and done so much writing without telling anybody about it during the process!?!

I buried my nose in this book immediately and read for the first hour of the morning until breakfast was ready.  The kids were happy with their new toys and delights, Rich was busy baking his awesome homemade Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls, and OM and I were sitting on the couch, our noses buried in this book while dad was channel surfing the tv.

I was selfishly resentful when I had to put the book down to eat my breakfast. I was sad when I realized I'd have to put the book away and spend the rest of my day with the rest of my amazing family. I turned pages while I was undressing for my shower. I turned pages while I blow-dryed my hair.  I turned a page while I was tying my shoes.  Then, I put the book aside and spent the rest of Christmas day with the family - we drove to my MIL's house and enjoyed tons of fabulous comfort food, lots of candies and cookies, and we played games while the "kids" played downstairs. Then, we opened presents and more presents and more presents and marvelled at all the fun stuff the kids (and adults!) got. We played some wii together. We cried tears of laughter together while playing the Game of Things. Then we ate some more and played some more and had dessert together...  and (thankfully?), the day flew by justlikethat.  Although it was a long, relaxing day, it flew by in an instant! And when we got home, we bathed the kids, put them to bed, and I once again buried my nose in this book!

Then, I woke up and read some more, and I didn't - I couldn't - put the thing down until I had turned the very last page.  I finished reading at two or three in the afternoon, and then I handed the book off to my wonderful husband, laced up my running shoes and spent the next half hour outside in some freezing cold fresh air to process what I had just read.  It was the first time I'd ran at all in about four months.

My dad amazes me. He amazes me with his heroism. He amazes me with his heart. He amazes me with his writing talent. He amazes me with this history, with his values, with his understanding of society. He even amazes me with his ability to pull off such a surprise, such a gift at just the right moment.  He's completely humbling, very inspiring, and downright amazing.

And maybe when I'm done thinking about all of this and pondering his character and sorting through my emotions, maybe I'll be able to tell you more about this BOOK! 

wow

Compare this!

I've posted before about my bad habit of comparing myself to others.  It's a horrible habit that I'm happy to break. It's just that it's taking me longer to break it than I'd like...

But, I know that I'm a child of God.  God loves me and gives me life every single day because I'm someone who will better the world in His name.  Me!  Just little ole me.  Just like you, I was created on purpose, for a purpose, and I should purposefully remember that whenever I think I just don't measure up to the wonderful, talented people around me.

But it's so hard!  Much of the peer interactions I get during the regular work week happen on-line through facebook, twitter, blog-reading, and different childcare-related discussion forums.  Through these resources, I meet a lot of people who are similar to myself.  Whether it's through posts about running, childcare, parenting, budgeting, Bible studying, church going, non-profiting, etc. etc. etc., there are lots of folks out there who are just like me in one way or another!  What an awesome, resourceful network I have created with the on-line community. I'm blessed to have such folks enrich my life daily.

And still, I don't (feel like I)  measure up!

I have blog friends who have mad crafting skills.  Just this morning, when I cracked open my feed reader and enjoyed the musings of bloggers over my first cup of tea I found three new posts about the handmade gifts that were created for loved ones this year. You won't find any posts like that here, quite unfortunately.

I also have blog/FB friends who are accomplished runners.  Like, real running runners - people who actually love the exercise that running is.  I wanna be like that! (Still! The desire is still there!)

I have friends/acquaintances who are super frugal/thrifty shoppers. Who post about their awesome grocery or department store finds.  Many talk about the bang for the buck thanks to their mad couponing skills.  I want to be that person. Really, I do!  But, try as I might - couponing is just not a hobby of mine. Certainly not something that I enjoy (by any stretch of the imagination!).

I "know" people who do awesome things with their kids. They write stories and post pictures about the fun things they do with their very own kids!  Things that I can't dream up on my own - as much as I want to.  Everything I do with my kids is someone else's idea - again, I know how blessed I am to have such a fruitful network here with this on-line community at my fingertips!

I have twitter and facebook friends who point out moving, inspirational, true wonderful quotes from books or from the Bible that just bring me to a new place in my thoughts, sometimes my life, even.  Some of the relevant scripture quotes touch me in such a way that I find myself jealous that I hadn't thought of the relevancy of that before! 

I could go on and on and on and on...   but I'll stop now.
I must remember that I, too, am valuable. I'm admired and adored and looked to with inspired eyes and minds.

I'm just not sure why!

Thank you - to all of you who are at my fingertips. Without you, well - I'd be completely and totally LOST!

WANTED

Confession:

I'm on the lookout for a new running buddy. I'm looking for someone who is non-committed, slow, chocolate-loving, goal setting (but not overly determined), and somewhat inspiring.  I'm looking for someone who is just like me - someone that would run to sonic (to get ice cream, of course!) and back.  Someone who wants to get fit (I want to! I really do!) but doesn't really have the time or energy for such nonsense. (We have enough excuses to keep us from going nuts with it, right?)  Running 5K's is fun and stuff, but we don't have to do them together... if we say we're running them together then that's just a little too much commitment for me. And if we do run them together, I suggest you not leave me in the dust unless it's because you cut some really big corners and totally cheated. In that case, you'd better hi-five me when I cross the finish.

Anyway, I kind of need a running buddy soon.

Applicants can meet me for dinner at Five Guys or Pizza Hut. 

I hope to find just the right match by the end of this year.  Wish me luck!

Merry Christmas Season

My husband came home last night after being away for 9 long weeks.  He got a new job and it required extensive training in a city that is over five hours away.  He came home many weekends, only staying for just more than 24 hours before hitting the road again.

Having my husband away has been one of the worst experiences of my life.  He's my best friend and my lover. He makes me feel so good about myself and takes care of our family in a way that only he can.  He makes me laugh and gives us comfort and security.

 Not only was I dealing with the (temporary) loss of my husband, but my children were also without their (very loving, very involved) father.

I've been playing single momma for nine weeks now, save for some weekends where I had time to go to the grocery store all by myself on a Sunday afternoon.  It's been rough, I'll be honest. 

Plus, while he was away, I got very sick - dealing with pneumonia, bronchitis and,  recently, strep throat.  My girls also had colds, and my 3 year old is still on an antibiotic for a sinus infection.

We visited Rich in Oklahoma during Thanksgiving weekend.  We saw his one bedroom apartment where he was living during this chapter of our lives. We spent the weekend watching TV and relaxing with him, but it was far from home .... in so many ways.

But now, he's home.  And, he's back a week earlier than we had anticipated!  His training was supposed to be ten weeks long - it's by the grace of God that he's already home.  What an awesome Christmas this will be! Tonight, we celebrated the traditional way - by decorating a beautiful tree right in our living room!

Oh, Christmas tree - what a great reminder you offer about the blessings of home, family, and togetherness.  We are so blessed!