Doing Good

Recently I received something that means the world to me. I was presented two challenge coins by Chief Birbeck - one was his challenge coin and the other was the Olney Police Department’s challenge coin. I received these for my dedication working in the community taking photos and supporting local law enforcement, but mainly for helping the Olney P.D. by taking photos and helping spread the positive messages and good works that they have lately been doing. To be honest, it was kind of a blur receiving them because I couldn’t believe that I was actually being presented them.

To some it may not be a big deal, but for me, it was huge. 30-some-odd years ago as a teen I was not such an upstanding citizen of the community. I broke laws, did drugs and was generally a burden on the community. I won’t go into too much detail. I received punishment, found God, and never touched drugs again. That was a little over 30 years ago, it has followed me my entire life. I have spent the last 30 years trying to make up for the ignorance of my youth and my choices.

Those two little challenge coins symbolize that maybe now, after all those years, I could let go of past mistakes and be seen as someone who is worth having in the community. It is hard to put into words how much I have regretted the mistakes I made in my youth and just how much I have wanted to be a valued member of a community. I will just leave it at that I am truly happy where God has led me and say the journey and work was worth it. This is Will B. saying, “I am thankful to finally let go of the past.”