One Old Man
Our family had fourteen children and our neighbors would end up having nine children. It didn't take much more to make a crowd if we were ever at the same place at the same time. When they first moved in it didn't take long to find out that the dad was a police officer. He was the first lawman that I had ever known. They lived but a few doors down and across the street so as kids we played and just hung out a lot. For a long time I wondered if I was every breaking the law or doing something that would turn out with me sitting in a jail cell. And as a young pre-teen I always wondered whether he carried his gun in some hidden holster when he'd come to church. I think the question helped my general comportment. He was a tall man and he had a really firm grip when he would shake your hand. He always looked me right in the eye and asked, "How are you?" He was one of the few adults who actually waited for an answer. If things were good he'd share in your happiness