By Tracy Allison
My son has such a kind, thoughtful soul. On the way to school this morning, my 13-year-old son, Mason, and I had a conversation about Baltimore, cops, riots, protesting, discrimination, etc. He talked about how it bothered him that people could lump all people into one category and automatically assume that they are all alike or all bad or all good. He was especially upset about cops and that people would disrespect the very people who put their life on the line for people every day for very little pay and how the media and many people are trying to crucify them because of a few bad people.
He said, “Mom, I know I don’t have much money but could you stop at McDonald’s to buy a large coffee because I want to give it to the police officer that directs traffic every morning in front of Level Grove Elementary.”
When we drove near the cop who was sitting in his car getting ready to get out in the cold rain, Mason rolled down his window and motioned for the cop to come over. Mason told him how he wanted to do something nice for him and how he appreciated the hard work he did to keep us safe in our neighborhood and thought a hot coffee on a cold, rainy morning might be welcomed.
My son and I challenge you to make a cop’s day.
The cop seemed very surprised and thanked Mason for being a kind young man. Mason told him, “No, thank you, sir!”
What a way to start off our morning! Mason said, “Wouldn’t it be awesome if everyone did something nice for a cop to show them how much we appreciate them?”
So, my son and I challenge you to make a cop’s day. It doesn’t have to be something big: a simple thank you, smile, handshake, pat on the back, coffee or a free meal would go a long way to show our local cops how appreciated they are.
I’ve even heard they like donuts!
Mason Allison is an eighth grader at South Habersham Middle School in Cornelia, GA. His mom, Tracy, is a Special Education Teacher/Department Head at the school.
