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? IN MEMORY OF FOUR WONDERFUL RCMP OFFICERS

The death of four of our Royal Canadian Mounted Police has greatly
affected people of Canada and many helpless with such a strong desire
to help in some way. My heart goes out to the families of these
officers as I know from first hand experience the trauma and
loneliness of having a loved one die at such a young age. One of the
officers killed is a former student of my husband (from Red Deer
College). He is so young!

I have little to give, yet as a writer I wished to dedicate a piece
to the memory of these young men.?  AND I wanted to ask you to say a
prayer for the families of these fine officers.

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IN THEIR MEMORY I SEND YOU THIS SHORT PIECE, ("THE GLOVES")

THE GLOVES

by Ellie Braun-Haley

It was New Year's Day and I had just arrived back in the country
after spending almost a month in the warm mountain valley of a large
Mexican city. I had gone to spend Christmas with my husband who was
teaching anthropology, there in the city of Oaxaca. What a change to
be back in the central part of Alberta, just in time to see the cold
winds of winter bring in a colder front.

I work part time for an agency that provides support to adults who
have mental disabilities and I was scheduled to be at work on New
Year's Day at 9:00 am. I got up at 7:00 that morning and glanced
outside, forgetting that at that time of day there would be little
light to allow me to judge the temperatures outside. I walked outside
and the warmth of the Chinook winds assured me we were in for a good
day. I checked the huge bird feeder and returned indoors to finish
getting ready for work. Feeling secure I did not bother to retrieve
my winter gloves from the van, which Shawn, my husband usually drove.

It felt so good to be back in Canada. I was born in the province of
Alberta and I loved our change of seasons. It was exciting to note
the signs of spring each year outdoors and I loved driving back and
forth to work over the graveled country roads in the fall to see the
multi colors of the farmers fields and take in the beauty of our tiny
valley. I also enjoyed seeing the countryside covered in hoar frost
and often felt like a princess in a beautiful and special land
whenever I drove out to view the wonders of nature.

My first day back at work went well and as night approached I
remembered that the car needed gas. By 8:00 that night it felt a lot
colder out as I rushed to the car to complete a few errands. One of
the ladies I worked with was with me and we had agreed on picking up
a video to watch. When the errands were done we headed for the only
gas station that was open. I didn't want to use that particular
station because you had to pump your own gas and by now I was well
aware that the temperature was quickly dropping and a light wind was
picking up.

I drive a Cavalier. It is a great little car, but I always have a
problem in getting the gas cap off, just another reason for using the
stations that still have gas jockeys. And the truth of the matter is
I always enjoy the friendliness at these stations!

By the time I had managed to get the gas cap off my hands woke up,
felt the cold and begged to go indoors! Since I had no gloves with me,
I thought I could put my hand in my pocket and squeeze the gas handle
through my coat. This of course meant that I had to bend over and
press my hip near the open gas outlet.

I knew I was in a funny position and I glanced around to see a member
of the Royal Canadian Police Force looking at me strangely. He was on
the other side of the pumps and also just pulled in to fill his gas
tank.

I felt I should provide an explanation. "I know I look silly, but my
hands are so cold and I thought if I put my hands in my pocket I
could use my coat for protection. BUT, that means I have to stand in
this awkward position."

For a moment, he said nothing. He probably thinks I'm a real nut case,
I thought to myself. Then I heard a voice and saw a pair of gloves
sticking out beyond hisgas pump. "Could you use a pair of gloves?"

I shut off the pump and walked over to the extended brown leather "
lifesavers". "Oh yes please." I replied, taking the offering and
slipping my hands into their welcome warmth.

I went back and returned to filling my tank. Then I leaned over,
still holding the handle and noticed that the officer was pumping gas
with nothing to protect his hands from the cold. Then it hit me. The
gloves I wore were not a spare pair that he had. He had given up the
warmth to help me.

I felt grateful, embarrassed, then worried. "But you need something
for your hands too, " I said.

"Oh, I get used to it," he responded. "Don't worry, I'm fine."

In minutes my tank was full and I thanked him, returned his gloves
and went in to pay for my purchase. I felt so elated. I had just been
the recipient of his goodness! I was overwhelmed by good feelings and
as soon as the gentleman came in I smiled at him and told him I sure
owed him a hot cup of coffee or something.

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He stood there and told me it was his pleasure and I knew he meant it.

What a lovely welcome back to the country I loved.

And so, the gift was small yet to me the gesture was full of goodness.
No life had been saved and nothing earth shattering took place, but
the goodness of this human being surely touched my life. Ah, the
thoughtfulness of this Alberta R.C.M.P. officer!

Ellie Braun-Haley
IN MEMORY OF FOUR WONDERFUL RCMP OFFICERS
shaley@telusplanet.net

A little bit about Ellie:

Ellie is happily married to a college professor, Shawn. She lectures
and teaches workshops part time for Colleges and private
organizations. She and Shawn have just published four books. Ellie
says . "Explaining how to do good will never be as powerful as
showing by example.!