Let’s hear it for the helpers

By: 
Gray Hughes

Right now, we’re in the middle of a crisis.

 

I wrote in my last column that times right now are scary. The virus and all of the fallout because of this — people forced to stay home, people not working and the economic downturn because of all of that — is truly scary.

 

This virus is making life difficult. People I know and love have been furloughed or laid off. Others I know — my family and friends who are nurses, doctors and paramedics — are out fighting the virus on the front lines.

 

I know times may be bleak. It may be hard to find hope because you’re scared. Like I wrote in my last column, fear often removes hope.

 

But I have hope. And you should, too. Here’s why.

 

Right now, our medical professionals are out there, working to save those who have the virus. They’re working tirelessly to ensure that those who have been infected can live another day. Sadly, I know that’s not the case for some who have the virus, but that doesn’t mean they’re not going down without a fight.

 

Our nurses, doctors, paramedics and EMTs are heroes. They are the ones ensuring that people are OK. While no amount of training can prepare even the most highly educated medical professionals for this, they are out there, doing their best, ensuring that we will be OK.

 

But our medical professionals aren’t the only heroes out there.

 

Those working in our supermarkets, ensuring the shelves are stocked, checking people out, are heroes deserving of praise, as well.

 

They don’t get the option of taking a day off. They’re perhaps one of the most essential jobs out there. They’re the ones keeping us fed and are truly keeping society going. Without them, we’d be lost (unless you are one of those who hoarded all the food that actually caused our food shortage). There would be no food, no cleaning supplies and no toilet paper. Society would crumble.

 

Those volunteering in our local community, too, are heroes. There are so many people here in Hill City who are taking time out of their lives, out of their days, risking themselves to infection to make sure senior citizens have a meal. Or ensuring that a kid at the school has a meal.

 

I honestly don’t know where we’d be without the supportive community members we have in Hill City, Keystone and across the country. The community support has truly made a difference.

 

It’s our human response that truly makes a difference during crises like this.

 

Humans are funny creatures. We can be at each other’s throats one second and the next second we can come together to help each other out. I can’t really think of any other creature like that.

 

We want to help each other. We want to see each other do well. We want to ensure that life goes back to normal in some way, shape or form.

 

I am writing this on March 26. Today was supposed to be Opening Day for baseball. I miss it so much. But I know it will be back.

 

It will be back because there are nurses, doctors, EMTs and paramedics who are working to save those who have the virus. It will be back because there are people out there keeping life as normal as it can be. It will be back because of the countless volunteers who are working to ensure society runs and functions.

 

Life will return to normal. I know it will. And I cannot wait for that day to come. People will be out in droves. Our stores will be packed. The line at the Alpine Inn will be around the block. People will be filling up their ATVs and UTVs at one of Vic Alexander’s stores. Schools will be back to normal, and we get to cheer on our Rangers once again.

 

Until that day, though, let’s hear it for the helpers.

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