A spirit of gratitude

"The only person you are destined to become, is the person you decide to be." (Emerson)

We find ourselves challenged today in a way that most of us have not known before. That is not to say our individual and collective lives have not had their share of difficulty. What I am saying is that there is a certain universality in how today's challenge is unfolding. No person is unaffected by this. Some are more impacted than others, but none are fully insulated. This is profoundly revealing the inter-connectedness of humanity.

But I digress. What I really wanted to share is how vital it is to recognize and appreciate our New First Responders. If you recently had to attend a meeting from work via the internet, thank the person who assisted in the coordination of making that possible. If you recently stocked up on food and supplies for you home, thank the stock clerk, cashier, maintenance staff, delivery personnel and, yes, the individual who restocks the shopping carts, farmers, production workers, shipping clerks.

If you recently filled up your car with gas, had your newspaper delivered, picked up a pizza at your local restaurant, had a loved one in a specialty care facility being helped, had a prescription renewed, received an online order delivered to your front door, purchased food for your dog, picked up paint supplies to do that special project that you now have time for ...

When I think about all the people I am grateful to, it astounds me. These are the people who need to maintain the goods and services pipeline, the lifeblood of our society. So in addition to the doctors, nurses, fire, police, hospital staff and laboratory personnel, we have so many more to be thankful for. Oh, and if it takes a few additional minutes to get your order at the deli counter or check out at the cashier, let's remember those words above by Emerson.

God bless you all.

Phillip Zbaraz

Skokie