Farewell and Fond Aloha From the Police Department

After 33 years, my brother, Dennis retired from the Police Department. I asked him a while ago if there would be some kind of retirement acknowledgement, and he answered that he was planning to sneak out on his last day.

My gentle brother is the most humble, kind, forgiving, super smart fellow I know. He doesn't like people making a fuss over him, but he will give the shirt off his back to help others. He will ride his motorcycle over to a friend's house on the other side of the island to help him or her with their computer. He has worked tirelessly at the police photo lab to support his family and even had a back breaking, sleep depriving side photofinishing career for a long time.

When the time neared for the day of his retirement, he told me that a few people had absolutely insisted that they have a "little" luncheon to say farewell. He said there would probably be about 10 people there since they were the ones he worked most closely with.

I warned him to be ready with a little speech because he would not want to be caught off guard.

As it turned out, that "little" retirement party was anything but little. It was a catered affair with 4-5 times as many people as he'd expected to see. He was overwhelmed and extremely touched. Then came the presents, leis, candy, cards, posters, smiles, well wishes, toys for his granddaughter and love.

But the pièce de résistance was this poster that Paul, a graphic artist created.

No, Dennis doesn't have a beard. That was photoshopped.

This poster recognizes Dennis' expertise with technology, Photoshop, and his photo wizardry.

I told him that it absolutely needed to be framed and hung up somewhere.

Oh yes, I'm extremely proud of my baby brother. I wish everybody could have one as special as mine.

And now that he MIGHT have a little more time, maybe he can teach me a few more tricks on Photoshop. We shall see.

And so... dearest brother, let me say, "May the force always be with you."