From “Julie’s Gems”: January 2003

Can you believe it’s 2003 already! In 365 days (give or take a few), we’ll look back and wonder how the time went so fast. Some of you will begin a new journey away from this police department. You’ll hope that the new person who takes your badge number will do it proud. A new face may take your old number, but never your place. Some will begin the life-long commitment of parenthood, perhaps for the first time. It will bring every emotion to a level you never knew existed in forms of fear, protectiveness, frustration, and love. Others may choose the adventure of buying and/or selling a new house. Hopefully it will be a move for the better as you turn the residence into a home. For some of you, life may be exactly where you were twelve months ago. Nothing drastic came or went, and life feels just as boring as ever. Perhaps those are the lucky ones. For they have suffered no loss, have not had to endure heartache, and a reasonable amount of tears have been shed. Of course, we have no way to predict what the next year may or not bring, and many changes may take you by such surprise that it knocks the breath right out of you. It is in those times your character in built. I believe in the saying, “That which does not kill you will make you stronger.” I don’t expect you to dwell on my column longer than the minutes it takes to read, but try to remember what you are made of during those too-painful-to-grasp times in your life. Dig deep inside your heart and soul and let yourself be made, not broken. No matter what life may or may not bring your way in the next 365 days (give or take a few), remember to count your blessings and strive to make 2003 a great year!