2 minute read
SERVICE DIRECTORY
Henry Siemens publisher
It’s almost 10 months later and Covid is still very much with us. It’s the only topic I’ve written about in my last word. It’s been THE story of 2020. It’s been so very tiring and overwhelming.
In the middle of the ‘vital to their existence’ Christmas season, many of our small businesses and restaurants are shuttered. We can’t go out for a nice dinner with family or friends. We can’t even get together with them at our homes. We can’t go shopping for anything other than essentials. Isn’t everything essential to someone?
At times it’s still almost unbearable but it’s also a little different now. Sadly, there is surely more suffering to come but a sense of HOPE is starting to creep in. A HOPE that we’re closer to the end than the beginning of this thing. A HOPE that an effective vaccine is only weeks away for our most vulnerable population. A HOPE that our businesses will be allowed to safely re-open soon. A HOPE that our test positivity numbers in Manitoba will decrease.
Uncertainty and concern and anxiety remain but as we end 2020 and look to 2021, we HOPE for a near future where we can come out of our homes, go shopping, visit friends, eat dinner at our favorite restaurant or take a trip somewhere fun again.
We HOPE for wisdom for politicians as they make impossible decisions on how to best respond to Covid and HOPE that they would understand the ramifications of those decisions. We HOPE for strength for our students, parents, teachers, healthcare workers and business owners as they deal with unfair situations and circumstances that are completely out of their control.
We HOPE for kindness and it comes. Sensing the stress people were feeling, a group of community volunteers started driving a truck around town blaring Christmas music and reminding us to Be Kind. This message is being delivered Every. Single. Night. What a creative, fun way to spread such an important message.
We HOPE for generosity and it comes. Recognizing that much is expected of those to whom much has been given, a group of local business leaders who have done well in spite of Covid organized a drive to raise support for their peers who are hurting. The Christmas Cheerboard was significantly short of funds. A request for help went out and the community responded by providing more than was needed.
That is the miracle of Christmas. It is a season of HOPE. When we consider the promise of Christmas it is impossible not to be filled with HOPE.
