MAKE MY DAY!

One day in Bellingham, Washington, in the late ‘70’s, Micki and I were riding on W. Holly Street on our motorcycle, arguing terribly. Finally I let her off to walk the last four blocks home, and I shot off on the bike diagonally across an intersection, ignoring the red light. A siren then added to the angry noise in my head, and a cop pulled me over.

“May I see your driver’s license?” said the cop.

“See that woman over there!?” I shouted as I pulled out my wallet for my license.

The cop turned and saw Micki as she walked by smirking. “Yes,” he said.

“That’s my wife!” I hollered. “We’re in an argument! Now give me a ticket; it’ll make my day!”

The cop looked at my license, and said, “Mr. Lund, you ran a red light back there…”

“I know!” I yelled. “Now give me a ticket and make my day!”

The cop calmly filled out a form while Micki walked out of sight and while I sat there astride the bike, fuming. Finally he handed me back my license and the form, and said, “Mr. Lund, I’m only giving you a warning, not a ticket. Please drive more carefully. We want you to live so you can get into more arguments.”

I was stunned. I said, “Thank you,” and put the wallet back into my pocket, started the bike, and rode home. Of course I made up with Micki as soon as I walked in. This good cop’s words have stayed with me ever since, as has my gratitude for his kindness that put an end to my anger.


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