You know the expression: things are not always what they seem. Cliché as it is, the meaning of the phrase typically rings true: don’t rush to conclusions simply based on a first (or general) impression.
In this story, this philosophy can be applied to both sides of the tale.
In Albuquerque, New Mexico, an officer was sent out to respond to a call regarding panhandlers.
Already, that sentence offers two potential perspectives. Either the panhandlers were being a public nuisance, thus warranting the police to be called on them, or the policeman was going to harass someone who simply needed help and was otherwise not breaking the law.
But again, as more details unfold, things are not always what they appear.
Located at the cross streets of Lomas and San Mateo, the panhandlers were none other than a mother, a father, and a 2-year-old girl.
Officer Hernandez was the one who arrived on the scene. He asked what the couple was doing out in 35 degree weather with their little girl.
Unfortunately, the family was going through a difficult time.
Just before Christmas, they found out the devastating news that their two-year-old daughter needed major heart surgery.
Insurance could only help so much. The mother and daughter were both insured for a flight to Denver, Colorado, to see specialists in a children’s hospital, but the father was not covered. And according to him, even if there was a fraction of a chance that he would never see his daughter again, he couldn’t take that chance.
But with four other children in their care and only one week’s notice to raise money for the flight, the father resorted to panhandling to help him in his time of need.
Hearing this story, Officer Hernandez was moved. And what he did next is why the family called him “an angel in a police uniform answering their prayers”.
Officer Hernandez took the father of the little girl for a ride to the bus station, where he then bought the loving dad a ticket for him to join his wife and daughter in Denver.
While the act is extremely generous, there was also some personal motivation for Officer Hernandez. He, too, had been in a similar position as the girl’s father. His six-year-old son was diagnosed with epilepsy, and he understood the trying times the family was going through.
During that time, Officer Hernandez’s fellow officers stepped up and helped him in his time of need. Now, seeing the little girl’s family, the officer felt it was his turn to do for another what had been done for him.
The girl’s family was so touched that they wished to remain anonymous, instead preferring all the credit for the heroic act go to Albuquerque police officer Luis Hernandez.
And in return, Officer Hernandez only asked for one thing: for the parents to call him after the surgery and “let [him] know how everything went”. The father of the little girl promised to call the officer and update him before and after her surgery.
In this case, this police officer went above and beyond to serve his community. Hopefully Officer Hernandez’s generosity becomes similar to a domino effect: he was helped in a time of need, so he helped someone else, who helped someone else, etc.
After all, ’tis the season for giving.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
