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Wednesday, June 8, 2011

the grizz's retirement from the force.

the boys and i were, i dunno, 7 or 8 years old?  we were sitting in the living room after dinner, watching some TV show when dad came home from work.  like usual, he took off his steel-toed boots in the foyer and walked up the small set of stairs into the living room to say hello to us.  i looked up and his face was red.  and i mean BRIGHT red.  un-naturally red.  he wiped his teary eyes.

then he told us that he was pepper-sprayed in the face that day.

yeup.  pepper-sprayed in the freaking face.

my mom rushed into the room from the kitchen and i remember us all being in disbelief, exclaiming, "what happened!?!"  and that's when i found out that the rcmp did it.  as a part of teaching their guys what their weapons are really like in order to safely use them.  

i've never forgotten that moment.  it's when i began to really understand how brave and strong-willed my dad is.

i can't imagine it to be an 'easy' job, that of a police officer.  facing hostile and threatening 'clients' (hardyharhar), moments of pure danger, witnessing the epitome of horrific tragedies.  and there's the late nights, crazy shift work, hitting the pavement in rain + wind + snow, piles of paperwork, mediocre wages, office politics, the times of little respect and little support, having the alternate job title as 'pig.'

no, my dad certainly did not have an 'easy' job.. but he was dedicated.  for thirty.  six.  years.  36 years of giving of himself for the safety and the integrity of his community.  36 years of it - ultimately for providing for his family, for the love of his family.

this past weekend, we had an intimate family celebration for my dad.  we hit up the lakeside cafe at harrison hot springs for a lovely meal with a live band and then headed to my grandma's house to enjoy a few presents and an amazing cake by christine's creative cakes (did i mention my dad was a mountie in the musical ride back in the day?).

we are proud of you, dad.  and we love you very much.  now it's time to rock retirement..!

 we are a mature group of adults..
my grandpa winking at me after he stole my dessert, baha..
he's here all night, folks!

1 comment:

  1. Looking at your photos is like reflecting on a memory. It's way easier appreciate each genuine moment.

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