Vacation/Book signing

We just returned home from a much needed two week vacation and book signing. We went to Palm Desert where we had the most fabulous weather we have ever had. Day 1 was 98 degrees followed by record breaking 111, 106, 101, 101, 99-98-97. It never got below 97 degrees except at night - 87 degrees. Waking up to breakfast on our deck overlooking the fabulous pool, followed by daily tennis, iced tea time, walking, swimming - couldn't stay out of the water! We went shopping a little, to the  Living Desert, and looked at many different condos/homes. We went to the Deep Canyon Tennis Club and met MANY people. That place has the friendliest people I have ever seen. We were even invited to a party this summer at one of the couples homes.There, we looked at condos and Ron played some tennis with a few people. One day we were on El Paseo Dr. when we saw the Clydsdales! They were doing a little promotio the TV station was there as well as many onlookers. They unloaded the Clydesdales and hooked them up to the wagon, loaded the trailor with Budwiser, to be delivered to Pacifica and Tommy Bahama restaurants, and then the dalmation was put up on the seat where he posed for the crowd. It was then time to begin their two hour visit to El Paseo drive - parade and dropping off the Budwiser beer. It was fun to watch. One day we went to Escondido to see our friends. We drove with them to Carlsbad where we had lunch and a walk on the beach. It was NOT hot - in fact, my friend and I had to buy a sweatshirt. We had a fun day and then headed back to the desert. I had a sucessful book signing, Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors, at Just Java in Bermuda Dunes. Jessie did an outstanding job of promoting my book. I will be back there again in November. We also spent time with my brother and sister-in-law as well as some tennis friends. We headed to the Palm Springs airport at 5:00am Saturday, boarded on time only to find out there was a mechanical problem with the plane. We deboarded for a five hour delay - two hours I spent in line to rebook our Wenatchee flight as we were not going to make our flight. Lucky it was in PS as we sat in the sun the whole time - nice and warm. I met a great gal in line, a bodybuilder, who was suppose to be in Seattle for a competition. Long story - we had fun getting to know one another and will keep in touch with each other. When we arrived in Seattle it was 4:00 ish we had to go to the customer service desk to find out where we would be staying. We ended up at the DoubleTree - fun time minus the fact the only luggage we had was my books - no clothes, make-up, well you get the picture. All luggage had been sent straight to Wenatchee. Lots of phone calls home to our neighbors to drop a vehicle off at the airport, hide the keys - we didn't have any!! We had dinner in the bar at the Doubletree after we sat by the pool for a while. Oh yes it was sunny and hot!!! in Seattle. I called our son-in-law to tell him where we were as he was headed to the airport to pick up our daughter and granddaughter who had competed in gymnastics at Westerns in Sacramento. They showed up at the bar to say hi. Lexi did an awesome job competing and had her USA warmup jacket on and her leo in hand. Her favorite thing was having a number on her back for competing!! Just like the Olympics. We left Seattle around 9:30 am and as we boarded the plane the Wenatchee Wild  hockey team was right behind us. It was great seeing such great young men and they were so well behaved. We arrived home around 10 Sunday morning to great weather. YEA! We brought the good weather home.

God's Blessing

God has blessed me so much through the writing, publishing, book signings and presentations. The events I have been to have been something I never could have imagined. The seminars and conferences have been incredible learning experiences both for me and my listeners. They have been so accepting of Matt's Last CAll: Surviving Our Protectors and have believed in me. For the last month I have been working on perfecting my presentation as well as adding power point and extending my presentation from one to four hours. My life has gone in a direction that seven years ago I would have said "no way."

I am headed to Palm Desert for some book signings, tennis, swimming, sun and a little?R & R. When I return home my schedule will be a busy one - more book signings, speaking and discussions as well as possible booking of some  national conferences.  I am working with some of my new friends on my presentations. God has helped me get this far - now it is time to really get to work and save some lives.

Jesus conquered death

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday the day Jesus Christ rose from the dead. He died to take away our sins and so that we could have everlasting life with Him in heaven. In fact, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies..." He follows up by asking, "Do you believe this?" Every person needs to answer this question for themself. It is my hope that you will embrace the only One who can save you from your sins.

Suicide - A True Story

Friday, March 8, my husband and I were arriving home from dinner around 6:45 PM when I spotted a large red truck with bright red lights. We live on a hillside so I always take notice of things that don't appear right. At the bottom of our driveway is a pullout area and further down across the street is a large water tank. Up the driveway is a lower lot and then finally the top of the hill is our home. I was going to check out this truck when we got to the house but I was distracted by sirens. I looked out the window upstairs, overlooking the valley, and saw nothing. I turned away, but again I heard sirens, only this time much louder - still nothing. I walked into our study and saw a firetruck and two ambulances and a bunch of cars by the pullout area. I flew down the stairs yelling at my husband that they were at our house. I still had my leather coat on as I ran to the lower lot. It was getting darker but lights shown on the pullout area. There I saw a white car with the driver door open as well as the backseat door behind the drivers side. A backpack was on the backseat. By the bumper I saw a body. All the first responders at that time were behind the firetruck, silent, overlooking the scene. By now Ron is by my side and I whisper, "There is a body down there." He tells me we have had several calls asking if we are ok and that three shots had been heard. By now police were arriving. One of the officers met the man from the red truck, who was still parked by the water tank. As they were talking they were walking toward the pullout, but still on the street. Apparently, the young man was driving by and thought someone needed help. As he approached he noticed the body and backed off. He turned all his lights on his truck and called 911. At some point I called our neighbors. They were not home.I saw a flashlight in our backyard. It was the police officer who I had seen earlier talking with the young man with the truck. The officer didn't know where our driveway was so he followed the path from our neighbors. He asked us what we knew, saw and our names, etc. I asked if he was Wenatchee PD and he said yes. I informed him we live in the county. He didn't believe me so decided he better check on it because I was so persistent. They called in Chelan County Sheriff officers to take over. My husband brought me my ski parka as I was freezing and shaking by now. My friend told me it was shock. I was surprised that I didn't freak out at the scene. We didn't know if it was a suicide or a homicide. Since we are suicide survivors I was surprised at how calm I was. In the meantime, I felt like I was watching NCIS.WPD had taken photos and placed markers at various places. CCSO arrived and everyone else left the scene. Crime tape was across the road and down passed the pullout area. Our neighbors called saying they couldn't get home. I told them to go around the opposite direction. The road block was by their driveway. He ventured down to see what was happening. I finally went inside to watch a video. I actually sat on my feet so I could see what was going on outside as I kept one eye on the movie. At 11:00PM we finally went to bed. CCSO still working . I got up at 4:00AM and everyone was gone. I got up again at 6AM and emailed my CCSO liaison and asked if he were at our place and if he could fill me in as we had heard two different stories. He confirmed it was a  23 year old male from out of the area, suicide. He had texted his dad and left a note. Wow! What is the likelyhood of someone taking their life on someone's property who is a survivor of suicide. IF ONLY we had arrived 5 or 10 minutes later maybe I could have helped him. I feel the pain of his parents and am sorry for what they are going through.

Traumas of Law Enforcement Training

I returned home Thursday morning after three fantastic days of Traumas Law Enforcement Training. Usually I would get bored in conferences when I attended leadership conferences through the school districts. This particular training had me captured from the moment it began. The speakers were phenominal, enthusiastic and knew their subject well.

I met so many people who shared stories with me and I with them. They were fun to be around and I learned something from everyone I came in contact with. Because I am not in law enforcement but a survivor of a sheriff deputy I questioned, "Why am I here?" That question was answered immediately when Jennifer began speaking. I learned all about law enforcement and what they go through and how they relate to others. I learned that as a survivor I AM important as I am not only the Washington State Concerns Of Police Survivors Suicide Liaison but I am sharing my story and helping those I don't even know who are struggling.

I was not a scheduled speaker but I had Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors available to purchase. At a break on Wednesday morning a couple of my board members told me I needed to speak and let everyone know who I am and that I am here as a resource to anyone. So they made it possible for me to speak right before lunch. Many came up to me touched by what I had to say, some were in tears and couldn't get the words out - yet I knew what they were trying to say.

Through my friend John Marx of COPSALIVE, I met Bob Douglas of National Police Suicide Foundation, INC who wasour suicide speaker on Wednesday morning. Oh, did we have fun. He is an animated man who certainly knows his subject. We quickly became friends and he is going to promote Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors on his tour. Thank you John for introducing me to Bob.

Friendships were made throughout the three days and I am thankful to have had the opportunity to be part of such a great organization.

God lead me through writing Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors and now He is giving me the opportunity to share my story with others. May God Bless ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRST RESPONDERS for their difficult and tireless service to us all.

Traumas of Law Enforcement Training

I have the opportunity to attend Traumas of Law Enforcement Training for a three day seminar at SeaTac. It is put on by National Concerns of Police Survivors. As the Washington State Concerns of Police Survivors Suicide Liaison I feel this is a great opportunity for me to not only learn more about traumas of law enforcement but to share my story with those attending and hopefully help them understand police (first responders) suicide. So many people think suicide is a selfish act and not worthy of further action. There are always underlying circumstances and I hope I can be the one to help these people see a different side of suicide. On a personal note, I continue to depend on God's strength to make it day by day. For those attending, I will have my book, Matt's Last Call: Surviving Our Protectors, available to purchase.

Tennis Season

Today is the first day of the 2013 tennis season and my first year not coaching. I have been counting down the days, watching the weather.......Wow! I didn't think I would miss it that much. This is the first year in many years that the coaches don't have to shovel snow and ice off the courts. The sun is out and a perfect day to begin a new season. I will be watching and cheering you on Varsity and JV players and know I am hoping you all have a fantastic season.