The Silly Season

Fairly depressing so if anyone still reads this don’t expect to be happy when you get done reading this, you’ve been warned.

I refer to this time of year as “The Silly Season”.  I think I got the term from Lethal Weapon or one of those cop shows in the nineties.  The reason is because people act “silly” from Thanksgiving until New Years.  While this time period is full of happiness and love it’s also full of other things like resentment, despair, sadness and hopelessness. The longer I have been out of the department the worse the memories have become.  (Not a cry for help just a statement)

I know of the terrible pain of the season in a unique way.  I went to a suicide where the man had laid out his checkbook register in front of him with his bills around him in a half circle then shot himself in the head with a rifle.  One of my officers asked why he didn’t leave a note?  I pointed to the bills and checkbook and told him that is his note.  I also had a couple that had a very romantic Thanksgiving meal that ended with one man killing his husband at the table with the carving knife.  As I took him to my car he told me that he “loved him but couldn’t stand living with him”.  It also seemed like it was a season for self immolation which is horrific beyond description.

I saw some wonderful things also but right now only one comes to mind.  The last year I participated in “Shop with a Cop” I had a young boy who made sure that he bought gifts for his family before thinking about himself which was a beautiful experience for me.  I have always loved Christmas with my family, especially since we’ve had children.  I hope for them and you for a safe and happy holiday season.