Walking with My Hero

Big Daddy and I were walking around downtown today, trying to finish up our Christmas shopping. It was a sunny and chilly day, which is the kind of day I really like. We went to lunch at DeSha's and enjoyed each other's company as always. It was Big Daddy who noticed all the other couples were sitting as we were, side by side, as opposed to across from each other. I love sitting beside Big Daddy... It was as if love was in the cool, brisk air as the sun shone down on all of us.

We enjoyed our lunch and then headed out to the Victorian Square Shoppes and then onto the Lexington Center shops. This is the place to go if you want something from Kentucky or to show that you "bleed blue" for the University of Kentucky. We found a lot of neat trinkets and such and even purchased a few small items for the kids.

One of our stops led us to the Explorium, which is a discovery zone for kids. It was here that we found one of those "water worms"...you know, one of those stress reliever things, filled with water that you just let slide from hand to hand? Sometimes they have little thingies inside to float while you relax, like little plastic fish or something. Anyway, Beautiful Daughter had asked for one while we were vacationing at the beach years ago. We bought one for her and she loved it for a whole five minutes, when I asked to see it. Well, that little piece of tape was bugging me so I started to pick at it and could not seem to stop myself and before I knew it, S-P-L-A-S-H!!! That little hand-held water worm was now just water and a plastic sleeve...separately. Beautiful Daughter cried! "My water worm!! My water worm!!" Tears fell. It was horrible...annnnnnd it was my fault! I assured her we would get her another one and of course, there were no more water worms to be found in Destin, Florida...ever!

Well, today, at the Explorium, there it was...a whole display of water worms! I was beside myself with glee!! We bought one and Big Daddy held onto it so as not to tempt me and my OCD with anymore "tape" fiascoes. Honestly, it could be the best $4.50 I have ever spent. Beautiful Daughter will be so excited to have Mommy keep her promise about replacing the water worm...7 years later.

Hey. I do what I can, people.

As we were leaving the Explorium, Big Daddy stopped a woman who was approaching and said "Where do I know you from?" Well, hells bells, she didn't know and neither did I! She pretty much said exactly that and Big Daddy kept questioning her...

"Don't you live on the corner of such-n-such street, down by that old, white church building?"

"Well, yes...but I don't know you."

"I came to your house one time. I am Officer Big Daddy."

The lady was almost in shock as she said...

"You are the one who saved me?!?!?" And with that, she threw her arms around Big Daddy's neck and hugged him hard. She went on to thank him and to just about cry.

"You just don't know!", she said. I have been looking for you this whole time! I wanted to tell you thank you for saving me and my little boy, but I just couldn't find you. I see the other officer from time to time and ask him about you, but he says he hardly sees you anymore since you changed departments. Oh, lawzy! I am so happy to see you!!"

Big Daddy asked how she had been doing and if things had been going well. She went on to explain how her little boy was now 14 and a freshman in high school. She was now married and going to church. She also said that if it weren't for Big Daddy...and then her words trailed off, but I knew what she meant.

Big Daddy introduced me and the woman held out her hand and just shook mine as if I had something to do with the blessing of having Officer Big Daddy come to her rescue, which of course, I did not. She was simply thankful and it was humbling. I felt honored to be there. You see, in Big Daddy's position, he saves a lot of people, but very few say "thank you". He risks his life for others and the people he works so hard to protect generally do not care enough to acknowledge it, much less say "thank you". It was a full two years in his position before anyone thanked him for risking his life to save theirs.

That is a long time to go without a thank you, pat on the back, or a note in the mail...and he kept on helping people anyway. That's the kind of man Big Daddy is...a hero.

And so, here we were, in the middle of the Explorium lobby and I am present to hear someone thank Big Daddy for risking his life to save hers. As it turns out, the woman was the victim of domestic violence a few years back and when Big Daddy arrived on the scene, the woman was lying on the floor, doubled over in agony, and had two black eyes. Her eyes were so bruised that they were swelling shut right before Big Daddy's. Unfortunately, this was not the first time Big Daddy had seen such violence, nor would it be the last. Fortunately for this woman however, Big Daddy was there and he took care of her assailant immediately.

The woman decided to press charges, which is unusual, and the assailant went to jail for the maximum amount of time, thanks again, to the vigilance of Officer Big Daddy. He was sure to cross every "T" and dot every "I" on this case. The assailant had not only abused the woman, but had also hurt the little boy. You want to upset Big Daddy? Hurt a child.

Big Daddy and the woman talked for a few minutes and she thanked him again and again. They said goodbye and he wished her well. On her way out, she stopped and turned back around saying, "Officer Big Daddy, I will never be able to thank you enough for saving me and my son." Big Daddy smiled his most humble smile and told her to have a merry Christmas.

After she left, I reached up and kissed Big Daddy on the cheek and told him I love him and how proud I am to be his wife. Again, that humble smile showed up and he took me by the hand and we walked through another store. For the rest of our day, we just enjoyed each other and our time together. Big Daddy was fine to be walking with me and I was fine to be walking with my hero.