TRUE STORY: It was December 2006, I had just been told by my doctor "it time to get your pension in order-your done--I am not going to do what LAPD has tried to do for the last 24 years--you are no longer able to do the job of a Los Angeles Police officer..." It was at that moment, I walked out of his office, called Shirley Flack and began to drive to her office in my patrol car. I was crushed that my career was over. The only person I could think of calling was my dad--our relationship has been tense at times only cause I am allot like him. I pulled over in my patrol car at the 405 Fwy and Sherman Way exit and called him. I was a mess mentally and crying--in full damn police uniform and marked patrol car! He was in his truck when he said, "John, all things have a beginning and and end--NOTHING LASTS FOR EVER!.." As simple as those words were--and all the things I had done up to that moment--they made sense. Now, years down the road--I still can hear them. I still apply them. All things do begin and end--relationships, jobs, and lives. I have some really sick family members--they have had great lives--we had some special times-- but nothing lasts forever. They are suffering-- when my Grandma Dorthy was sick and in the hospital I knew I did not want her suffering-- I made my peace with her--hugged her, said "I love you Grandma" and went back to Los Angeles. A week later I was at her service. My uncles are good people--it sucks to be so far away--but this is where life has taken me. All things do end--I hope it is with peace and dignity--for their sake and ours-we cannot change it--so accepting it is what is best for all
Posted on: Mon, 19 Aug 2013 01:01:40 +0000