What it means to be a "Blue Family"

This month my Comments for a Cause donation is going to Iowa C.O.P.S.  This organization provides resources to surviving family members and affected co-workers of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.  After an accident that took place at the end of the last month, my heart wanted to do something to support the families affected, and the entire police family, which includes my brother-in-law and sister.  I asked my sister to write up some things she's learned about being a police or "blue" family and here are her reflections:

My Sister and Brother-in-Law
after he was sworn in at the Des Moines Police Department

It is hard to believe that my husband has been a police officer for nearly 4 years.  So much has changed since that day he was sworn in.  Being hired by the police department started him on a career that he can see himself doing until retirement.  Not only is his job his passion, but it also gave our family the stability we wanted before starting a family.  Since then we've had a son (now 18 months) and have another on the way.  Adjusting to this new lifestyle as a "police family" has had its challenges, but also its rewards, and I've learned many things along the way:

1. To be flexible.  Plans will be broken and holidays missed.  I've learned to expect that our schedule will always change.
2. The importance of a kiss good bye.  Always remember to say "I love you" before he heads to work.  It's easy to forget sometimes how dangerous his job can be, so making this a priority is important.
3. That the "cop" in my husband is always "on".  Whether we're driving to the grocery store or sitting in a restaurant, my husband is always thinking like a cop.  He is always aware of our surroundings and the people in them.
4. To believe.  Not only in the person behind the badge - but in the job itself.  Because it's not just their job, it's who they are.  Supporting them and their profession makes all the difference.
5. That this "blue family" truly is just that.  A family.  And that when times get tough we will all bind together.  Friends and strangers alike, we are all deeply connected through this profession.

Thanks again to my sister for be a guest writer for this post.  I am proud of both my brother-in-law and sister for their service.  Remember to comment all month long to support Iowa C.O.P.S. through my Comments for a Cause program!

Comments for a Cause - Iowa C.O.P.S.

Before April 1st comes to a close and hopefully my 5 year old son will stop telling me I have a worm on my head... I have to share about this month's Comments for a Cause program and give a recap on last month's program!  In the month of March I had 55 comments, creating a $27.50 donation to First Book.  Thank you to everyone for your support of this great organization that is trying to get books in the hands of all children in the United States.  In the month of April, I am honored to be donating $0.50 for every comment made on my blog to Iowa C.O.P.S.

Last Saturday morning, two Des Moines Police Officers were killed in a car accident while transporting a prisoner.  I was first made aware of this tragic, sad new early on Saturday morning when one of my sisters sent me a text saying "In case you've seen the news, I wanted to let you know that (her husband, my brother-in-law) is OK."  My brother-in-law is a Des Moines Police Officer and there have been a few times during his 3+ years of service that our family has gotten similar texts.  So, I figured there had been some type of police stand-off or big take-down where shots had been fired.  I wasn't prepared to search on the Des Moines news websites to see that two officers had been killed in the line of duty.

Being a family member of someone in public service can be difficult.  You know they are working hard everyday to protect everyone, but by doing so, they can often find themselves in danger.  I often have to remind myself that I know they have chose this as their career because they love it and wouldn't want to be doing anything else.  I know they genuinely care about making their home and community a better and safer place.  I know they strive to make changes of good in those that they help.  But I also know, there are risks in what they do everyday.

My heart and prayers goes out to the families of Officers Susan Farrell and Carlos Puente-Morales this week.  Even though they know why their loved ones worked hard every day in the field of public service, it can still be difficult to swallow the risks that happened on Saturday morning.  That is where Iowa Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) comes in to offer both emotional and financial support.

Iowa C.O.P.S. provides resources to surviving family members and affected co-workers of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.  These resources include counseling from both professionals and others who are police survivors, help with planning and organization of funerals, and support for memorial efforts.

I know these resources have been a huge benefit for all those mourning right now, and that is why I want to support these families and co-workers by donating $0.50 for every comment made on my blog throughout the month of April to Iowa C.O.P.S.  Please remember to Comment for a Cause all month long!