I am thankful everyday for just about everything that I have.   But this morning, as get ready for tomorow's Thanksgiving plans, I am spending some time being thankful for things that I don't have.  This year, I am so grateful that:

I DON'T HAVE a first Thanksgiving of fresh grief and sorrow. 

I DON'T HAVE a first holiday of missing someone who won't be at the dinner table. 

I DON'T HAVE to push away the pain of thinking about a first Thanksgiving shared together.

I DON'T HAVE a first thought to get through the day "the best I can".

It is heartbreaking that many people will have to experience these feelings this holiday season and many more days to come.  One of these people is Mrs. Erik Hite, widow of slain Tucson Police Officer Erik Hite.

Officer Hite was killed in May of 2008, by someone who woke up on a Sunday morning and decided to go on a cross-town shooting spree.  Officer Hite died a week before his daughter's first birthday, on the NE part of Tucson, on a street a few blocks from my house; a street that my husband cycled down that day after a ride up Mt. Lemmon; briefly stopping by our house get our daughter, who wanted to ride her bike around the block with Daddy.  Unknowingly, they took off right toward the shooter.  As they rode, the shooter's car sped past them, came to a screeching halt and the shots rang out a couple minutes later. 

At that moment, Officer Hite lost the rest of his firsts.

For him, my first thought this Thanksgiving holiday will be for Mrs. Hite and her family.

My first contribution for the day will be for the permanent memorial being established for Officer Hite. Here are some pictures of the memorial as it stands today - and across the street is the site for the proposed permanent memorial for Officer Hite. 

As I drive by Officer Hite's memorial each day, and when the permanent one is up, my first thoughts will be:

For my husband, a Tucson Police Officer for nearly 22 years;

For all the officers and public safety people;

 And for Officer Hite and others who no longer have any "firsts".

May You and Your Family Enjoy A Peaceful Thanksgiving Holiday.

(Cash contributions, in-kind items for landscaping, construction, etc., for the Officer Hite Memorial are welcome - contact 520.749.3472 or www.tucsonpolicefoundation.org for additional information.)

Gabrielle 

Copyright Gabrielle (Kamahele) Rhind, protected by COPYSCAPE 2008. If you want to reprint parts of this - just email me for my permission rhindohana@msn.com . Buying or selling Tucson Real Estate? Click info@gabriellerhind.com and let me know how I can help you!