Since starting construction on the new Vitality, I rarely sleep through the night anymore. I usually go to bed with numbers and reports in my head that are needed to keep the bank happy and progress moving forward. If I wake up in the night, odds are slim that I get back to sleep. I usually will just get up and start the day in front of my computer, wether it’s 4a or 6a, no difference. I find myself constantly stressed about things that are out of my control, fully knowing that this worrying fixes absolutely nothing. This morning was no different, I woke up well before the alarm was going to go off so I decided I would pack up early and head in to Vitality to have some time before coaching so I could finish up some paperwork needed by the bank to get my subs paid so they don’t mutiny. As I walked downstairs, I laughed out loud because I remembered the article I read online months ago about how successful people don’t check their phone first thing in the morning. They wait until they get into work to look at emails, texts, etc. I can’t tell you how many times this has made me chuckle as I walk down the stairs and immediately pick my phone up to see what messages and emails I have. I digress, that ridiculous article will get my full attention in the near future.
When I was reading through my emails, I saw one from my older brother, which is extremely rare unless it is a few sentences making fun of my diet choices or my abstinence from alcohol. This one was different, much longer. As I read through the email that outlined Tpr Chad Wolf’s story and how he had been hit and killed on duty Friday while patrolling on his motorcycle, the first thing I felt was guilt. Here I was stressing all day everyday as I build something I have dreamed about for longer than I can remember, all the while doing it with a community of people supporting me and making my job amazing. Both my girls healthy and sleeping less than 50 feet away from me as I read through everything. I let this building consume my thoughts and the stress from it effect me daily. I am the one who is constantly talking about controlling our emotions and not worrying about things we can’t control, yet I fall victim to this just like anyone else. Unfortunately, it took something so tragic to snap me out of it and bring me back to reality.
As I read through the background on Chad Wolf and how my brother had worked with him in Jackson when Chad first graduated the State Police Academy, my first thought was how angry it makes me when I see the posts about Law Enforcement online and the stories on TV disrespecting the masses for the actions of a few. I have ignored those that feel the need to weigh in on the tactics used by our Law Enforcement personnel to keep us safe. I can tell you this, I view that profession as one of the most difficult and dangerous in the world and I will agree to disagree with you if you don’t feel the same way. One of the Lt’s with the Michigan State Police said it best at the memorial service for Chad, he said, “This is one of the only professions where you put on a uniform each day and you don’t know if you’re going to save a life, take a life, or a give a life”.
99% of us wake up in the morning, kiss our family goodbye as we leave for work, not even considering that there is any chance of not returning that night and seeing our family. Law Enforcement has a very different risk associated with it and we need to respect and appreciate that. When I was in the Marine Corps and we deployed, it was easy, we knew everyone we met was probably trying to kill us or at least thinking about it. Cops don’t have that luxury, which immediately puts them at an enormous disadvantage.
Friday morning, 38 year old Chad Wolf left his wife and four children behind as he went to work he could do his part in making it a safer place to live. He knew the risks associated with his profession and signed up anyway. The ignorance of those on social media and in the news will overshadow heroes like Chad Wolf. I would love to watch the news in the morning and see a tribute to Law Enforcement/Military/First Responders that have given their lives in support of this country instead of updates on the Kardashian family that no one cares about.
We have the ability to play a small role in this. I am hoping we can come together as a community and show some support for Chad’s wife and her four children who will now grow up without their dad. Wether you can donate $1 or $100, it will help immensely. This is one of those causes that we can see the direct impact our actions have on a specific family. These are the ones that hit home the most for me.
Please take 30 seconds and check out the fundraising link HERE.
For more about Chad, here are some of the articles written about him.
http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2015/09/community_honors_fallen_troope.html
http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2015/09/family_of_fallen_msp_trooper_c.html