Column: Passing along some gratitude this holiday season
By Dan Kontos
Especially for parents of younger school-age children, few things can be more annoying and inconvenient than a snow day at school.
This week the Stevens Point School District had two such days where classes were canceled. These periods constituted the two planned weather event days built into the annual calendar.
Upon the announcement, children cheered, while parents jeered. Why did the District make that decision? Well, the answer is obvious. They did it mainly for the safety of the children. With the weather reports and warnings that we were given, it is understandable and reasonable. Safety, especially the safety of the most vulnerable among us, should always be at the top of our minds.
Year to date, almost 600 school bus crashes have been reported in Wisconsin, with over 200 injuries resulting. School bus drivers and transportation managers do a great job making the serious task of safe transport usually a mundane task we think little of. However, if you’ve never driven a big bus, let alone in hazardous weather, it’s easy to forget how tough it can be.
But now the holidays are in full swing. Soon, even the bus drivers will get a break as we pause for Christmas and New Year’s. But that doesn’t go for everyone.
Just like the thoughts of safety for our children churn almost robotically in the back of our minds daily, but are drawn to the front during unusual events, we experience the same on a much larger scale every day.
What am I talking about? I’m referencing our societal guardians, of course. The law enforcement, fire, medical, dispatch, and military personnel who keep us safe, respond to our emergencies, and improve the quality of our lives. If you mix in the public utility providers, we are served 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, usually quite quietly, in the background of society.
Should something go wrong, these dedicated professionals are trained and equipped to respond to any situation, and do what they can to restore our community to its normal everyday condition. We sleep well, knowing that they are there doing their jobs, especially here in Central Wisconsin.
While this is not unusual for us, we expect and pay for them to be there, and we can often overlook their contributions to our quality of life. It is “normal” and routine for us.
The holiday stretch between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is special for many of us. We focus on family and friends and spend time being grateful for what we have and celebrating. Time off and special events dot our calendars, and we look forward to some relaxation.
With twinkling lights, presents, and lots of special food, it’s easy to forget that we all don’t get the chance to take some time off.
From the soldier standing watch over the Korean demilitarized zone, to the emergency department nurse, the snow plow operator, the sheriff’s deputy on patrol, and even the volunteer firefighter, many of our fellow citizens do not get a chance to enjoy some downtime, so we can.
Don’t feel sorry for them, they would not want that. They knew what they were getting into when they took the position.
However, don’t take them for granted either. I for one am extremely grateful that we have these stalwart specialists manning the levers of society while we go about our day, usually oblivious to their contributions. That is—until we need them.
Take a moment to reflect on these fellow citizens who will not be off this holiday season, and be appreciative of what they do. Many have families of their own, but sacrifice so we can be with ours.
Want to know a secret? If you see one of these folks, nothing softens the heart of a stern-looking professional just smidge more than thanking them for what they do every day. Try it, and see if you can’t get a smile out of them. It will make you feel good too.
So, with that, let’s meet in the opinion section to talk about all of it, boldly, honestly, with a healthy respect for each other, and a deep appreciation for those that keep us safe. Until then, God bless, and Merry Christmas.
