I live in a city that does not celebrate the frontline workers keeping us going with applause at windows or with any other group cacophony. For me, these people include not only the obvious doctors and nurses at hospitals but also their ancillary staff, housekeepers, orderlies, and attendants, as well as food service employees. I am also grateful to market/pharmacy employees, staff, cleaners, and delivery workers. I am grateful to pickers working in the fields, truck drivers, bus drivers, Metro employees.
All of them keep me safe at home and I have few ways to thank them.
A local friend and political ally, as well as one of my CADem reps, Marguerite ‘Peggy’ Renner, has chosen to put a light in her window every night at sundown in gratitude. (It also is a time that happens to approximate the time of hospital shift change between 7 and 8 o’clock.) I have followed suit since she mentioned it. If nothing else, it is an act that allows me to be mindful at least once a day of all who take great risk to minimize troubles for the rest of us. Although I live on a major thoroughfare often traversed by ambulances on the way to Huntington Hospital about half a mile away, they may never see my light in the window. No matter. It will be there every night until we have put this virus behind us. My vigil will get a lot of mileage before that day arrives.
Join us in the practice of gratitude, if you’d like. Shine a light in these dark times.