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!
