Since last week I have been touched by the response from many regarding G’s separation from the Arkansas State Capitol Police. In a sense, I’m processing all of this a year later and have chosen to write about it as therapy, and if it helps someone else, that’s even better.
At the time, I immediately went into crisis mode. I made a few phone calls those first few days to let people know what happened, which possibly changed the course of our lives for the better. I’m grateful to those family and friends who prayed and cried with us and kept us encouraged. More importantly, if we had kept it to ourselves no one would have been in a position to help.
I have been asked by a few where G has landed, and when the time is right I will publicly share. Just know that we have moved forward and that aspect of our lives is over.
However, using this platform, I want to share a few things in retrospect. First, your name is everything. If you’ve maintained a stellar reputation, even complete strangers won’t hesitate to help you.
My husband wasn’t a perfect law enforcement officer, but he had earned a great reputation and because of that, he had no problems garnering support when he was suddenly thrust into the job market after 20 plus years. It’s important how we carry ourselves as we go about our work because we never know who’s watching. How many times have you been asked to write a letter of reference or asked to make a call, and because of that person’s record, you did it without meeting them?
To those friends who took the time to help us, thank you. A Facebook friend kindly took the time to assist us in our time of need. She didn’t know G from a can of paint, but because she knew of him through my social media (namely that he was Dottie, DiDi and Darbie’s daddy) that he had to be a great person! When we are seen trying to help ourselves, people want to be a part of our journey.
On the flip side, when one asks for help and then turns around and squanders an opportunity, that can be detrimental to one’s reputation. I once went out of my way to help someone to find a position, only for them to tell me several months after working there, “You know I hate that job, right?” I thought to myself, “Excuse me? I thought I was helping you provide for your family.” It felt like a slap to the face. Now that I think about it, I wasn’t directly asked to help. I went out of my way because I knew they needed a job. Maybe if they had sought their own opportunity it would have been a different outcome, but I digress.
It’s a blessing to be able to pick up the phone or send an email for help and it is given. If you’re out in the job market, I would encourage you to develop a work ethic so that someone doesn’t have to think twice if they’re asked to submit a recommendation on your behalf. If you’re the beneficiary of this support, be sure to thank them. Saying thanks goes a long way. Plus, it’s the right thing to do and confirms the fact that you’re a solid person with a good reputation.
#ksmithsays
ksmithsays 