The picture to jumpstart this entry. Spoiler alert: the police came to our apartment building.
A little background for you. . .
We have an elderly couple who live next door who we LOVE. The husband is a retired police officer that served in New York City for over thirty years; he recently turned 90. His health, sadly, has been on the decline. He is in an upstairs apartment and unable to get down the stairs without significant help, so he has been housebound for months now. He's the funny, real kind of person you can imagine he'd have to be after being an NYPD cop. Being inside has worn on him--there's really not much he can do these days. When we first moved here about three years ago, he and his wife went out to dinner almost every night. They were always dressed to the nines and having fun together.
Anywho, his wife has been worried about him and has shared some of her worries with me. I would worry about me, too, if I were cooped inside all day with nothing to do, in essence, but watch TV.
I'd offered to have Matthew or myself take him out, but they know we have two kids and just don't feel comfortable putting something else on our plate, as happy as we'd be to do it.
I had the thought to call our Clifton Park Police Department and tell them about the situation. I thought maybe they had a police veteran society or something or even a retired officer that might be able to come pay my neighbor a visit and chat sometime in the future. I called the police department last night and asked just that. After sharing the details, I was told the information would be put on the sergeant's desk and he'd see what he could do.
Less than an hour later, I look out my front window to see the picture included with this post. I poked my head out my door to thank the officer and just clarify that it wasn't an emergency of any sort. He smiled and said he completely understands and is more than happy to sit and talk with my neighbor for awhile--he has some free time as it is.
Ha, I think answering the door to a police officer about gave my neighbor a heart attack. But, they (or course) let him in.
An hour later, the officer left with his lights on for an emergency call.
A few minutes later, my sweet neighbor's wife came over to thank me. She looked lighter than I'd seen her in ages and was just beaming. They'd been able to talk the officer into telling them who'd called him; she told me that if I would have given her husband $10,000, it wouldn't have meant a thing. But that visit, being able to sit for an hour and just talk and share police stories, was more than he could have ever wanted. She all but cried, standing on our doorstep, thanking me repeatedly. She shared that she has been praying for months and months to know what to do and how she can help her husband.
That incredible officer is coming back Wednesday to take our neighbor out for a cup of coffee. I can't think of anything more perfect.
I am amazed at the kindness of people. I am so grateful for officers that would take the time out of their day to visit a 90 year old man who is housebound. For officers who would make him a priority and get to his house within an hour of my call.
I truly feel that officer acted as a spiritual guardian last night and was a tool in the Lord's hands.
I'm so incredibly grateful to have been blessed enough to receive a prompting from Heavenly Father and be of some use in bringing joy and brightness to two of his children next door. I'm SO grateful for good people and SO, so grateful to be allowed to play some small part in Heavenly Father's answer to my neighbor's prayer last night.
I know God hears us.
I know He answers our prayers.
I know He answers prayers through others--be they neighbors, police officers, or otherwise.
More than anything, I hope I can continue to be worthy of these promptings and quick to act on them. I also hope I can be like that officer, and go to serve others with a swift, cheerful determination.
