Who Do You Take For Granted?

Yesterday we paid homage to our mothers. We sent cards, chatted on the phone, or took them out to brunch. We shared our love and our gratitude for all they do for us.

It’s a nice gesture. I’m all for honoring our mothers. As a mother myself, I understand the kinds of sacrifices mothers make in order to serve their families.

Bravo to all of you who honored your mother yesterday.

But what about all those other people who expend energy every day doing things so that our lives are safer, easier, and more pleasant?

Yes, I mean policemen, EMTs and military personnel, but that is only the tip of the iceberg. People like the receptionist at my sons’ school, who answers the phone, buzzes people in the building, dispenses medicine and forgotten lunches and answers dozens of questions every day—and remains calm and cheerful at all times. I am quite sure I wouldn’t last a day doing what she does. I would be frazzled after an hour and ready to bite someone’s head off by the end of the day.

And yet, how often do we take such people for granted?

People like:

• The guys holding the stop/slow signs at the construction zone (Can you imagine the nightmare if they didn’t do their jobs?)
• The doctor’s office receptionist who talks you through your insurance questions
• The people who pick up trash along roadsides
• The tech crew at church—who you only notice when they make a mistake
• The electric linesmen who restore your electricity during rainstorms and blizzards.
• The kid at the drive-thru who got your order right even after your kids changed their minds twice.

The list could go on, and on, and on …

What people would you add to this list?

When was the last time you thanked them for doing their jobs?