I’ve gained a whole new appreciation of a couple of things that prior to recent catastrophic events were too easily taken for granted.
First, is the Gulf of Mexico. It’s something you imagine will always be there to enjoy – beautiful, clean, and resplendent with magnificent wildlife. Sadly we’ve learned how quickly that can all change.
I’ve lost track of how many days have passed since the Deepwater Horizon explosion and the beginning of the worst environmental disaster in our country’s history. I don’t want to count the days anymore. It’s too depressing.
It remains incomprehensible to me that man chooses to go places where he has little control over the consequences of his actions – with a catastrophic end result. If the BP oil spill could have been plugged by excuses, public relations excesses, and deception, it would have stopped gushing weeks ago. Now we must put our faith in the latest BP science experiment – a new containment cap. Sure hope it works – not holding my breath.
Fortunately, those of us living here along the west coast of Florida have been spared the horrors experienced by our neighbors elsewhere along the Gulf. I go to the beach now as much as possible on time off, just to soak it all in and remind myself to appreciate the spectacular view.
I reflect on how the pelicans, ibis, sea gulls, herons and other birds I watch fishing for their breakfast are so blessed that this is their home, instead of far away, oil-fouled beaches along the magnificent body of water. There is only one kind of skimmer I want to see from my chair at Indian Rocks Beach. It’s black, white and red with wings and feathers. By the grace of God, our beaches will remain free of BP’s filth that has destroyed so many lives – human and animal. The economic effects are far reaching, right into our backyard.
Secondly, I’ve gained a renewed admiration and respect for law enforcement. Certainly we realize that the men and women who’ve chosen to protect all of us in their daily lives have a special calling. But the brutal murders of Tampa police officers David Curtis and Jeff Kocab as they were just doing their job opened my eyes even wider.
The loss of such fine men at such a young age is beyond tragic. Watching their televised funeral from beginning to end was both heartbreaking and heartwarming. So many people loved them, respected them, and now must continue their lives without them. Their loss is beyond measure.
I can remember as a teenager when a group of friends and I were surrounded by police officers on a private country club golf course one summer night. The officers stepped out from behind the tall pine trees, aimed flashlights on us and said, “Freeze.”
No problem, we were paralyzed with fear over what would happen, and rightly so. We had no business being there after hours. They were firm, but courteous.
It was the first and last time I ever took a ride down to the station. They sent us home to our parents, lesson learned.
Instead of fearing or dreading encounters with law enforcement, young people should be taught to admire and appreciate them. We should make a personal vow to thank a police officer every chance we get – even if a citation is part of the conversation. Couldn’t we all use someone to protect us from careless or potentially dangerous behavior? Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every time they go to work to do exactly that.
Thank a cop and cherish Mother Earth. All too often, we don’t know what we’ve got ’til it’s gone.
Chary Southmayd is the editor of the Belleair Bee.
