Taking time to be thankful

Okay, I know this has nothing to do with crime and isn't my usual type of blog and may seem trivial considering all our world is facing, but, here it is, once and for all. I do not wear false eyelashes!

I get asked that question from time to time and want to set the record straight. I have never worn false eyelashes (except when I ran for Miss Missouri in 1984 and I also hairsprayed my makeup to my face and did other crazy things to have better attributes! Did I mention, I still didn't make the top 10?!)

What I really want to talk about this week is all I'm thankful for, since Thanksgiving is a couple of days away.

So, I am thankful I inherited my eyelashes from my mother.

I am thankful she taught me to mind my manners, to give graciously of yourself to others and how to overcome tragedy with strength and grace.

I'm thankful for homicide detectives who work around the clock and sacrifice so much of their personal lives to catch killers and put them in jail.

I'm thankful for the police officers who work child abuse and sex crimes. I don't know how they see all they do and not it eat away at their very souls.

I'm thankful for prosecutors who fight for justice when they could make more money  in private practice.

I'm thankful for citizens who are not afraid to get involved, who will stand up to violence, who will tell the truth and don't let fear stop them from doing what's right.

I'm thankful for judges who are wise enough to be compassionate when called for and tough when it counts.

I'm thankful for victims who have suffered incredible losses, but, turn their pain into something that inspires and helps all of us lead better, safer lives.

I'm thankful for those advocates who see and injustice and work to right it, even if it takes years and they face ridicule and disbelief in the process.

I'm thankful for my five nieces and nephews and their protection from the type of crime I witness every day in my job.

I'm thankful for a job that allows me to help get crimes solved and give victims a voice they wouldn't have any other way.

I'm thankful for the Green Country citizens who are honest, kind and generous and the knowledge they far outweigh the numbers of those who prey, hurt and kill others.

I'm thankful for health and family and a wonderful husband and I hope you have plenty to be thankful for as well, during this busy, hectic time of year.