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Just when you think you know someone...

Just when you think you know someone, you get a call from the RCMP asking you questions.

My dear friend Angie has been in the ongoing process of applying for the RCMP over the last 12 months.  Although it is a long and grueling process, I'm happy that 1. The process is this intense! and 2. My friend is in the final stages of acceptance!

She has gone through rigorous physical tests, CRAZY psychological tests, interviews and exams.  She texted me a few days ago and told me they started phoning her references--nearly the LAST step of the process!  Seriously, within about a half hour my phone rang.  On the other end was this pleasant sounding woman who asked if I had a minute to speak about Angie MacDonald.  Excited for her, I promptly said yes and motioned for Kevin to deal with the girls!  I locked myself in my bedroom for effective listening and she began asking.

You think you know someone pretty good, that you're "close" until the questions start.  She asked many questions that made me stop and REALLY think.  I won't get into detail about what all the questions were but a few of them were rather simple, like family questions.  Something that is SO mundane and everyday are really things we do not know!  How often does she speak with her sister?  Gee, good question!  When we chat it's usually about parenting woes, societal woes etc.  Not "I talked to my sister at 2pm today, like I do everyday."  Not that me not knowing the answer to these types of questions are detrimental to her acceptance into The Force but it does make a person stop and think.

When you're asked about their past--like before you met them--have they mentioned? Have the done...?

HOW MUCH DO YOU ABSORB WHAT THE OTHER PERSON IS SAYING?

That's the question I asked MYSELF after that.

Nonetheless, the lady was wonderful, it was all formality, really, and I phoned Angie right after to relay all my information.  How exciting for my friend!

I recall years ago--maybe 20? we were visiting friends in Fort Saskatchewan.  Syl and Dorothy Mudry.  I don't recall the exact situation (Mom likely remembers better) but I can say we were visiting and the women were in the living room while the men were outside.  We knew the men would be in shortly and Dorothy asked if it was cold in the house.  She preferred it cool.  Then she proceeded to say something like, "When Syl comes in, you watch, he'll sit down in his chair right there, sit up, look around and declare it is too cold in the house, then he'll say this and that and get up and shut that window.  Just watch."

And he did.  He did EXACTLY as she said he would.  Married decades can do that to a person but no matter what you'll never necessarily know one person COMPLETELY.  I find this fascinating.  I think I know my kids better than they know themselves, and every once in a while they surprise me.

It's wonderful to know someone well; it's a very fulfilling feeling.  But it's also very humbling realizing you will never know EVERYTHING.

Best of luck Angie. A single mother of two amazing boys working full time AND doing this is incredibly inspiring.  YOU'RE A ROCK STAR and I'm so proud of you friend.


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