Roll back the clock to the late 1960s and early 1970s, and I would understand more fully what those who serve others endure to perform their duties, whether those duties are ones receiving pay or ones completed because of devotion to others.
As a grocery store employee from 1968 until 1974, I recall so often the demands made upon those who serve the public in all seasons and during all days of the year, whether those days are full of sunshine and warm temperatures, rain and the unpleasantness it brings, snow and ice and the accompanying frigid temperatures we are now enduring, or the torrid winds that bite into our bodies and make us shrink back to escape the piercing chill the wind provides.
As everyone is so fully aware, Todd County and surrounding areas of our country have endured frigid temperatures and weather that make us shake our noggins and ponder which season we are really experiencing. We also definitely realize in recent weeks the sacrifices so many in our lives make to provide for our necessities. That dedication is what we need to express our gratitude for to those many individuals – caregivers, volunteers, educators, law enforcement and county and city employees, Pennyrile workers, county road crews, essential workers, our military, and the many other folks who put themselves and their families second and carry out so many tasks we so often take for granted.
As I gazed out my front windows in recent nights, I noticed the Todd County Road Department headed out to spray our roads and assist in making travel to destinations much easier. Yes, I am rather certain the workers would have preferred the comforts of their recliners as they carried out their assigned tasks. In recent weeks, and most recently this past Thursday night and Friday morning, volunteer fire fighters have also had to don their gear and battle the frigid temperatures and the icy roads to put out fires engulfing two homes of Todd Countians. Yes, I am rather certain driving on slick roads in freezing temperatures and braving the elements to fight fires are not ideal conditions to embrace.
When we ponder those who deliver our mail and our packages, we are again reminded how much those essential workers do to make certain our mail is delivered and our packages arrive on time. Yes, once more I am so very certain those individuals would much prefer the comforts of their homes and the lack of danger to their lives as they face the uncertainty of road conditions and unexpected obstacles in their way. When we ponder our blessings, we assuredly, myself included, need to express our thanks to those many individuals who sacrifice to carry out their job responsibilities.
With a mother who worked from 3:00 until 11:00 several years at Western State Hospital as a nurse’s aide, we also would be prudent in adding our thanks to the many folks – doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, janitorial staffs, and emergency personnel – who endure the hardships of snow, ice, frigid temperatures, and hazardous road conditions to make the lives of many older folks much more pleasant. My 90-year-old aunt who had a knee replacement on November 20th is still recovering from that knee replacement; her being able to rely upon the staff of a rehabilitation center brings home the message of just how vital those myriad workers are.
Obviously, many other folks, organizations, and groups could be added to this collection to express our thanks to for all they do, especially all they accomplish during such horrific temperatures and ever-changing weather circumstances. What an added blessing it also is to pull up WEKT’s website to find out local closings and to find out the latest news events occurring in our beloved Todd County. Yes, we would be very prudent to take a few moments of our time and express thanks to God and to the many folks who serve, for His love and for the love of others who willingly serve during such frigid weather conditions!
~ Article by Carolyn L. Wells
January 21, 2024
