In the Winter Issue of GoodLiving magazine you will find an essay written by Lorraine Yaslowitz, the wife of St. Petersburg Police Officer, Jeffrey Yaslowitz who was killed in the line of duty one year ago tomorrow. (Jan 24) People who see or hear her might describe her as “strong,” but it is much deeper than that. It is strength derived from faith. Strength that comes from her belief that God has a purpose for all of us, no matter how it plays out on earth. Strength from the knowledge that His plan is perfect and that someday she and the love of her life will be together again.
One year ago I was driving somewhere — I can’t even remember where — but I was channel flipping the car radio and stopped to hear more about the commotion I was hearing on 102.5. A listener was on the scene with his cell phone narrating the events of a police stand off live as they went down. I remember hearing the gun shots as police stormed the house. The morning show host was filling in details from the news as much as he could. Today I realize that radio listeners that morning were “earwitnesses” to an incident that changed lives forever.
Days later I sat to watch the funeral on TV. I didn’t know these families. I’m not connected to local law enforcement in any personal way. Instead that day I was a citizen who valued their sacrifice. I was a resident of Pinellas County who ached at the loss of our officers. I was a wife who shed tears for the newly widowed, and a mom who had well wishes and prayers for the children who lost their father. I felt pride for the parents, relatives, co-workers and friends who will always remember their loved one as a hero.
Since that day, I’ve had the tremendous fortune to get to know Lorraine Yaslowitz and I am honored to call her friend. Our paths were already so close — same church, same school. Those paths crossed and today I’m humbled by her willingness to write and openly share her story in the magazine. It is her hope that she can bless others with her truth – the truth that every life has a purpose, the truth that there is hope in tragedy, the truth that God’s love is always there for us.
I’m astounded by her geniune faith that has not and will not be shaken. Lorraine knows who she is in God’s eyes and she is willing to be the person He has called her to be. In this season of her life, He has called her to help others and in less than a year she held her first Partners for Life Race and started the Partners for Life Foundation. Almost immediately she was called upon to speak at large events from organizations who want her to share her strength and faith with others, and she has also participated in numerous media interviews on radio and TV. Keep in mind we’re still in the first year here. Tomorrow is the one year milestone. Only one year.
Lorraine is a far cry from the days when women entered into an official period of grieving and mourning, wearing black in public and keeping a low profile. Don’t get me wrong. Lorraine grieves and mourns the love of her life, the father to her children, her soulmate and best friend. She misses him terribly. It’s her understanding of the big picture that gets her through the days, and nights. And it’s this same understanding that makes people want to know more about her truth. Which, if you ask her, is all part of the plan and she is here today as a willing and faithful servant to do just that.
May God bless the families of Jeffrey Yaslowitz and Tom Baitinger. We honor the memories of these officers with pride and gratitude for their service.
–Written by Pamela Settle, publisher and editor of GoodLiving magazine.
