A Warm Thank You

I usually love a good snow. However, one that is accompanied by freezing rain and ice cannot ever, in my book, be considered a “good” snow. Let’s face it. No matter what an individual’s feeling on the powdery white stuff is,last week’s “wintery mix” was a mess. Though I must admit that there was a certain beauty to trees encased in ice, there is also a serious danger.

While I did make it into work everyday, complaining loudly about the slick and frigid conditions( just ask my poor husband), I had it relatively easy. If I could make it from the door to the car and the car to the door, I was pretty much home free. That was not the case for the many people that had no choice but to brave the elements last week. The first responders who put out fires and attended to wrecks-law enforcement,E-911 dispatchers, Ambulance medical personnel, fire fighters and rescue squad, as well as EMA and EMS employees, if I left anyone out I apologize and please rest assured that it is not because I am not appreciative of your efforts-these people answer the call to keep us safe. They are the backbone of our community and it is never more apparent than during times of emergency.

To the linemen who bravely climb those poles to keep the lights on and our homes warm, thank you. To those that spent hours upon hours cutting up trees, only to have more fall, thank you. To the road crews and public works employees, who drove hundreds and hundreds of miles in treacherous conditions to make out roads safe, I applaud your efforts and thank you. The dozens of utility workers that kept the electricity, water and gas flowing, good job and I appreciate your dedication.

Last week could have been tragic for some in our community. We know that more than 20 Tennesseans lost their lives during last week’s storm. Without those that I mentioned, and many others, it would certainly have been many more.

If you checked on a neighbor or family member to make sure all was well, thank you. If you offered a hand to someone trying to navigate the ice, snow and slush, thank you. If you turned down your thermostat to share the power, thank you. Hey, if you left a jug of milk or a loaf of bread on the shelf so that someone else might have a sandwich or a bowl of cereal, thanks!

Perhaps we have finally made it through to the other side of winter and we can only hope that March drags out what February drug in. Like a cat offering a mouse, I appreciate February’s gesture and would like to match it with one of my own. Really, enough is enough. Time for spring to spring forward and kick Old Man Winter out on his frosty behind.

So, here is to better, warmer days ahead (apparently after this week) and a great big thanks to my better half. For without his steady feet, trusty shovel and multiple containers of salt, this article would not be possible. I hope that someone has a serious, East Tennessee talk with that groundhog!