Although in recent years the pubic, in general, has not held the police in the best of all light, these same men and women in blue, perform a lot of activities for the good of the public that go unrecognized. To illustrate, our job, as volunteers on the Senior Police Patrol, is to assist the Long Beach Police Department in manifesting the good will and deeds it performs for the community. My partner, Susan, and I were delivering the last batch of toys to different homes that had been designated by the Long Beach Police Department. These were families in Long Beach that were on the list of those in need.
As we arrived at the last house, the bag of toys was rather cumbersome and so the father came out to assist. While thanking us for the toys, he told us he presently was working but looking for a job with the city. He briefly explained what his employment was as we entered his house to put the goodies inside. As the father opened the door, we saw a number of children with what looked to be their mother laying on a bed. Two of the kids stood at the entrance of the house, a girl and a boy. When I asked their ages, the little girl said she was 3 and her brother 4.
As the father helped me lug the huge bag of toys in the house, the young girl had her arm around her little brother, almost as if to protect him giving the message to all that: “We as brother and sister are in this together.” Then her countenance rapidly changed into a most beautiful smile. This little girl could have lit up a Christmas tree with that smile. I immediately realized that that smile made the preparation that went into the delivery of the toys along with the actual delivery of them worth-while. It was a smile I hope she will hold in her mind, not to forget, the memory of which may guide her through precarious times. For me, that smile etched in my mind will remind me of what it means when I can help others in some way.
At least for now, the glow of that child’s smile perhaps transcended whatever condition she and her family faced while representatives of the police delivered toys to help kids experiences some joys during Christmas!
Dr. Bernard F. Natelson 