A POLICE WIFE

“Stay safe. Come home. I love you.”

I never knew just how different life would be when my husband took his oath. It’s not a path for the faint hearted, but it’s one of the most honorable and humbling journeys I have ever faced. My husband is absolutely my hero.

Imperfectly Yours,

Katie

A Police Wife

By: Ashley Hoppa, Wife of a Police K9 Officer, 2013

I don't wear a uniform.

I don't have a badge.

I have never been sworn in.

Nor have taken an oath, with raised right hand.

My thin blue line is different indeed.

The thin blue line I walk, is from behind the scenes.

I stand behind you, so proud and true.

For you are a member of an elite few.

You have sworn to do a duty.

To uphold the law.

To honor, serve, and protect. That is your call.

While the burden you bear is great.

Mine is nonetheless.

We both carry a very heavy weight.

With hugs and kisses, I smile and I say,

Have a good night, all the while hiding my silent fright.

For every day at 10-41. My burden has yet again begun.

My heart goes with you, and all your brothers and sisters in blue.

I pray you all will return at 10-42.

How do you do it they say? How can you live life that way?

How can you not worry? How can you not fear?

My answer to them is perfectly clear.

Of course I worry. Of course I fear. Always wondering, if end of watch is near.

But this is my duty, I say. It's just what we do. 

You see, I too bleed blue.

I am proud to say that I live this life. 

Because of the man I love.

I became a Police Officer's Wife.

🖤💙

DO YOU INSPIRE YOU

If you're not an inspiration to yourself how do you expect to inspire others?

As children we dream of living a long life, 100+ years!! One day our dreams from childhood will slap us in the face. Our perspective changes and the reality sets in that if we don't live a HEALTHY life we CAN'T LIVE A LONG LIFE!!

Quality will always overpower quantity. Stop sitting the bench of life and start playing!! Prove every single one of YOUR doubts wrong and show the world you can, ESPECIALLY when it says you can't.

Add quality to your mundane routines!! Someone out there is watching you, (okay that sounded a little creepy -- I promise I HAVE A POINT), to someone you are their example. What kind of example are you setting? Would you be inspired by you?

What is it that you need to CHANGE in order to become your own inspiration?! It doesn't need to be something life-altering!! Maybe you aspire to have more patience or maybe you need to embrace your progress. Maybe, right now, you need to be thankful for the struggle!! Within you lies potential and on the other side of your struggle is a stronger version of yourself.

Make a change that will get you closer to your goals!! Inspire others, but also -- inspire yourself.

Imperfectly Yours,

Katie

TRUST THE STORM

To be honest, I may have just felt the urge to hug and kiss Thomas Edison. Between Hurricane Laura and actually UPROOTING OUR LIVES to move to an area that just so happened to be in her path last week, I’ve had a lot of valley moments.

We asked ourselves if the hurricane was a sign that we had made a mistake. We have had countless doubts and have experienced intense discomfort not knowing our future ahead.

However, I told my husband that if it were easy it wouldn’t be God’s desire. In my life, when it gets really hard and the storm clouds thicken, God’s call is just waiting on the other side. He’s a beacon of hope when the waves try to capsize everything I have left.

But — FINALLY — on the 8th day, the electricity came back on and we have solace from the three digit heat indexes, again. The climb to the top of the mountain never came without struggles, or even a full on avalanche from time to time.

So, we persevere and keep going.

Because — we were made for this.

Even when we don’t know what THIS is.....

Imperfectly Yours,

Katie

JUST ASK WHEN

The opportunity to reinvent yourself does not come around often. So, when it does, stop asking all the wrong questions of “WHAT am I supposed to do,” “WHY am I supposed to do it,” or especially “HOW am I supposed to do it.” Just ask “WHEN,” and FOLLOW THROUGH.

See, life choices should never be about other people’s opinions, but should be about you believing so DEEPLY in something GREATER than yourself that nothing can hinder you from being obedient to the ring of your purpose’s call. 

Believe this, everything WILL work out.

#tunnelvision #walkbyfaith

Imperfectly Yours,

Katie

BLACK LIVES MATTER

I was 8-years-old when James Byrd Jr., a black man, was gruesomely murdered by three white men in my hometown. As for myself and many of my peers, the aftermath of this hate-crime left an imprint on our young minds. Personally, I will never wrap my head around it.

As years pass by I see and hear all that goes on. I can never experience the torment, but I can stand with black men and women, my brothers and sisters.

I can only imagine what it is like to raise black boys to be men in a society that degrades them before knowing them. With the recent tragedies of Ahmaud Arbery and now George Floyd, my heart continues to break. Maybe my color makes me irrelevant to fully understanding the pain, but, as a human, I can empathize of knowing pain itself. 

I‘m sorry for not speaking out sooner.

I’m disturbed by the increase in modern day hate-crimes.

I’m afraid of the actions of others that I cannot control.

Inside, I’m burdened for our country to open their eyes. I’m tired of people saying they don’t see color. If you choose to be color-blind you are choosing to be blind to the white privilege that exists. To be blind is to remain in the dark where these hate-crimes continue to take place. Light needs to be shed for color to be seen and for JUSTICE to prevail.

Color is important because it shows culture, diversity, and beauty. It's not just skin deep, color has roots and history attached. That history is valid and black people are ALWAYS valid.

“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” [Romans‬ ‭12:9-10‬]

Imperfectly Yours,

Katie