Weekend’s End

I am glad our Anna could still curl up on our couch and be sad with us for a moment.

Our weekend did, however, turn solemn and sober and sad when Anna got the call about a fallen friend and officer, Aaron Beesley. He had been on a rescue assignment with Luke, another close friend and Utah Highway Patrol helicopter pilot. (KSL news story here)

She shared an experience she and Luke had had with Officer Aaron – the kind of personal and endearing story that never makes it into the news article. She had gotten to fly in the helicopter with Luke as pilot, her beside and Aaron in back. Luke let Anna work the control, and as she was apologizing to Aaron about the bumps he said not to worry – that she was a better pilot than Luke and that it was a better ride than Disneyland.

The stranded hikers were rescued, but at a terrible cost.

Thank you to the men and women who are willing to work to fight our fires, and wars and disasters, and rescue those in peril so that we can better enjoy freedom and safety. And to their families who allow them to go out every day to do it. I am an eye witness to a few such families.  Our little girl, Anna, and her Officer Curtis are among them.

Our favorite Officer Kyle.  He is amazingly cheerful and capable, and very dear to our hearts!

Thank you Big Kyle and Luke and Matt P. and . . . on and on. You be careful out there and be sure to come home every day – that’s an order.