To all “06880” readers who celebrate today: Merry Christmas!
By now the gifts have been opened. Friends may be stopping by. Soon it’s time for a holiday lunch or dinner. It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
Even if you don’t celebrate, today is relaxing. Our entire country hits the pause button. There’s little to do beyond chill. Maybe head to a movie, and Chinese food …
Aha!
Some folks are indeed working.
The greeters, servers, bussers, dishwashers and cooks at that restaurant — Chinese or otherwise — where you eat today. The ticket and concession people at the movie theater.
“Merry Christmas! What would you like?”
The clerks and cashiers at CVS and Walgreens, where you head frantically for batteries. Your Uber, Lyft or taxi driver, if you need them to get there.
Employees at McDonald’s, Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks, because, well, America.
And of course our police, firefighters, EMTs, and hospital staff, because while you and I enjoy ourselves, emergencies don’t take holidays.
Some people are working because they’ve been told to. Some are working because they have to make a few more bucks. Some are working because they’re taking a co-worker’s shift. Some are working because they’re lonely, or have nothing else to do.
But why they’re working doesn’t really matter.
They’re on the job, and you’re not.
So anyone who works today — anywhere, for any reason — is our Unsung Hero.
Thank you. And Merry Christmas!
Even you, Dan. And many thanks for a year of wonderful reminiscences
Beautiful message Dan. Happy Holidays. David Grant
Dan ~ I didn’t see your name on that list of people who are working today. So have a much deserved happy Holiday season. You increase my appreciation of Westport’s past, present and future, every day! To say nothing of the surprises your columns often bring. Happy Holidays!!
Wonderful sentiment; thank you.
Thanks to them.
Very nice , Dan – thanks ,and Merry Christmas to you !
Another great posting by Dan Woog! Dan works tirelessly to provide us with interesting information.
Merry Christmas, Dan!! I had to comment as I just sent my husband out to Walgreen’s. He said the check out lines were very long. As a young person back in the day, I worked many types of service jobs on the holidays. it is always good to remember those who are serving the public and aren’t home with family.
Thank you ALL!!
You too Dan!
I work last night the 24th, to 6:45 p.m. I work at Macy’s (California) and we close at 6, but some of us were scheduled to 6:45, we are suppose to empty dressing rooms, close registers etc. after the store close, but we had customer in line at 6, so I was almost 6:30 before we had finished with the last customer, this despite that manager had been announcing every 15 minutes, since 5 p.m. we would close promptly at 6. Everyone, except customers just wanted to go home. I grew up in Denmark, and we celebrate Christmas eve, as does most of Europe, that is when we have our traditional meat and open presents, everything closes at 2 p.m. except for a few grocery stores at might stay open to 4, mostly in the cities, and businesses don’t open op until the 27th. Everything is so commercial here, sometime I feel many Americans don’t really celebrate or enjoy Christmas they just shop. Of course I don’t want to generalize. Tomorrow Macy’s is open from 7 a.m. to 10:00, and I know we are going to be busy. I work from 3:30 to 10:15.
Great posting, Dan! Thanks and Happy New Year!🌟