Thread: ARKIE 12 baits of Christmas contest. Three big prizes.....ends sometime Christmas day

everybody being in the holiday spirit

My favorite Christmas memory happened on Christmas Eve of 1990. I was a rookie city cop in Charlotte NC with a whole 5 months of street time under my belt. I was working second shift, while my 4 month pregnant wife was at home alone.

Around 7:30 pm I found a Hardee’s on Freedom drive that was still open, but about to close. I pulled in to grab a bite to eat since our shift had been fairly busy all day and this was our first bit of down time. In the store was the staff, an African American lady with a 5 or 6 year old girl and myself.

After collecting my food, I sit down next to a window so I could see my patrol car. A few minutes after I started to eat, I noticed the lady and child, stand up and go to the waste basket. They paused there a moment and I heard the lady say to the child. “If you want to know so bad, go ask him.”

The child started toward me with the lady in tow. As they approached the lady says. “I am sorry to bother you while you are eating, but my daughter has a question.” I acknowledged the lady and turned to the child and asked her what she would like to know. “Why are you working tonight? Santa Clause is coming.

I thought about it for a second.

“I have to work tonight, so I can try and keep people like you and your mom safe, so Santa Clause can come visit you.”

The little girl smiled at me and turned to her mom, her mom thanked me for my time and they left. I went back to eating. A few minutes later I noticed the little girl and her mom coming back into the store and head back in my direction. As they arrived at my table, the little girl holds out a Sleigh Bell on a red velvet ribbon, and says.
“I want you to have this, so Santa Clause can find you.”
I looked at the mom, who says, “This is completely her idea, please take it.”

I took the bell and thanked them both and they left quickly.

When I got home, I showed my wife the Sleigh Bell and told her the story. She took the bell and placed it on our tree. For years the bell was always on our tree at Christmas and in my keep sake box the rest of the year, but after two plus decades, time has compromised the integrity of the ribbon. So while the bell now permanently resides in my keep sake box, every Christmas Eve, I can’t help but to smile and think about a little girl who was concerned enough about me, that she gave me a Sleigh Bell so that Santa Clause could find me, while I tried to keep people safe on Christmas Eve.

Not only is this my favorite Christmas memory, this is my favorite memory from 24 years as a Charlotte police officer and State Trooper.

The faces on the Grunts when we flew Christmas dinner to them in the field in Nam!
I should also say I use the word Grunt with great respect!!

Family

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Merry Fishing!

Never forget the reason for the season


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Happy Holidays to you guys. Arkie products are awesome!

Christmas means time with family and friends. A time to rejoice. A time to reflect. A time to praise.