This week I received a distressing email from the Heritage Eagle Bend Board of Directors.
I've lived here twenty years, and I have never received such an email.
It arrived not too long after we began digging out
from one of our largest November snowstorms in decades.
It came in two waves, lasted three days, and dumped a good two feet of snow in HEB.
Snow and More Snow
Aurora, Colorado, USA
November 9, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
In the email the Board of Directors asked HEB residents to
"please consider exhibiting patience and understanding
for the employees who work long, difficult hours
to plow snow and keep our roads and sidewalks open."
Buried
Aurora, Colorado, USA
November 9, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
Snow Keeps Piling Up
Aurora, Colorado, USA
November 9, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
Remarking that "patience seemed to be in short supply,"
the HEB Board of Directors went on to say,
"Some residents chose to take out their frustrations with cursing, insults and other verbal abuse aimed at our snow removal employees."
This sickened me!
Winter after winter I have been privileged to live in HEB,
a retirement community for people over 55.
And over all these years, hardworking, usually Hispanic men have turned out
in the bitter cold and often at night to shovel us out and plow our streets.
How can people not appreciate their hard work under miserable conditions?
How can people not feel some compassion for them?
I don't usually take pictures of the men, because they are often working
when I am asleep or when I'm snuggled up in front of the fireplace downstairs.
Here are several I took during a bad spring snowstorm on March 14, 2021.
Aurora, Colorado, USA
March 14, 2021
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
We are living in a difficult time, when much that seemed certain is not.
Our country is divided, the world order feels unstable, the climate news is frightening,
and the specter of a world war looms larger than at any time I can remember.
I am just one small person, and I have no power or control
over the national and international events sweeping me in their tides.
Strong Waves
Panama City Beach, Florida, USA
April 9, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
What I do have is power and control over how I interact
with the people I come in contact with every day.
I do have the ability to choose to smile or to say a kind word.
I can feel respect, empathy, and most of all, compassion for them.
I am just one small person, but I can have a positive impact on others.
I'm a big believer in the power of many ordinary people
choosing to feel compassion for the people they meet daily.
My prescription for a difficult time is a strong dose of compassion.
I know I'm a work in progress, and I fall far short of the person I would like to be.
But I do try.
The world would be a better place if we all tried to treat others with more compassion.
Compassion is just one of a number of positive human traits we could choose to practice:
courtesy, kindness, respect, humility, caring, and empathy.
For an inspiring book on character, I highly recommend
The Road to Character by David Brooks.
I'm linking to Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date, Tom's Aloha Friday, and Nicole's Friday Face Off.
For Rain: Pizza ~ Our extended family gathers for pizza, beer, and music at Lazy Bear in Smith's Cove. The brewery is located on the property where our Grandmother (Cossaboom) MacDonald and her three sisters were born.
Pizza for Every Taste
Smith's Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada
August 2, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
For Tom: Aloha ~ The joy of hula and traditional music!
The Kilohana Hula Show at Kapiʻolani
Honolulu, O'ahu, Hawai'i
February 26, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
For Nicole: Aloha Face ~ Crown Princess Kaʻiulani (1875–1899) was named Heir Apparent to the Kingdom of Hawaii on her 16th birthday. She died tragically of inflammatory rheumatism when she was 23. She fought for the rights of the Hawaiian people and was known for spreading aloha wherever she went.
Colorized Portrait of Crown Princess Kaʻiulani
Courtyard by Marriott
Honolulu, O'ahu, Hawai'i
February 8, 2024
Photo by M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
Have a great weekend!
Till next time ~
Fundy Blue
Standing Into Danger https://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com
Copyright ©2024 – All rights reserved.
My next post will be
Friday, November 29th. 🤞
On the Bay of Fundy
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
What I do have is power and control over how I interact
ReplyDeletewith the people I come in contact with every day.
I do have the ability to choose to smile or to say a kind word.
I can feel respect, empathy, and most of all, compassion for them.
I am just one small person, but I can have a positive impact on others.
Hear, hear. I can have a negative impact as well but I choose the positive - though like you I am a work in progress.
Nobody's perfect, that's for sure, Sue. Just ask Terry, lol! I'm his work in progress. You think he'd give up after 42 years. 😂 I know that you have a positive impact on many lives. Helping to prevent suicide is a critical and compassionate calling, Sue, and I admire you for taking it on. I hope you are enjoying the weekend! Hugs to you!
DeleteWho would be a jerk and fuss at those people? You want it shoveled faster, get out there and help!
ReplyDeleteExactly, Alex! Before Terry and I were retired, we often had to dig ourselves out enough to get to work. Now we usually have the luxury of waiting for the snow removers. Have a great weekend, my friend!
Delete...here in western New York, we haven't had snow like this in years! It's raining today. You folks sure know how to do pizza!!! The aunties playing Hawaii music are a delight to see, I wish that I could hear them. Was a beautiful lady Princess Kaʻiulani! Mahalo nui, Louise.
ReplyDeleteLucky you, Tom! I do find the snow beautiful, but I'm less inclined to get out and play in it. I met with my book club yesterday. One of my friends told us what happened to her during the storm. On last Tuesday she went to a ranch in Hugo on the Eastern Plains to make bread with friends and spend the night before driving home. It's about 100 miles east of me. The storm came in, and they couldn't get out until this Monday morning. The wind was wicked and there was a 10-foot snowdrift behind and over their vehicles. The ranch connected with a paved road after miles and miles of dirt roads. Fortunately, they were on a ranch that was well-stocked with food, and they had lots of fun talking, playing cards, and watching movies. I'm just glad Terry and I were at home! Sometime I'll share the possible murder, inquest, and family mystery story about our great grandfather's home on the Lazy Bear property. None of us is upset over the home and property passing to someone outside the family. Lazy Bear brews great beers and makes awesome pizzas. And they promote local author's including my sister Bertie. They are always jam-packed on Thursday evening in the summer. I'd like to share Princess Kaʻiulani's story as well; perhaps when I'm in Hawaii this year. Have a lovely weekend, my friend!
DeleteOpen public displays of angry/ignorant/hateful bullying are one of the worst side effects of the rise of Trump/MAGA. I feel bad for anyone who works with the public these days.
ReplyDeleteYou are spot on, Debra! Trump and the MAGA folks have coarsened our lives in many ways. It is an uglier world now. We have to try to get beyond this, even if it's one by one. Have an awesome weekend! Hugs to you!
DeleteIt's sad how people lash out now. Of course when an elected president says thing s as he did, it's not setting a good example. You can get a lot further in life when you're nice and kind. At least I think so. And I can't believe how much snow you got! They say we might get some later next week. It's that time of year.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's that time of year, Erika! Terry and I were watching the Pittsburgh/Cleveland football game last night, and the football players slogged through the game in a snowstorm. But it was a good night for all the brave Brown's fans, because it was an exciting game and their team upset the Steelers with a 24-19 win. I hope that if you get snow it doesn't bury you. Have a happy weekend!
DeleteYes, thanks for your sermon. We, as a people, seem to distrust everyone and to have no feelings for others. If we don't learn compassion and empathy, we'll destroy our communities. Thank you for standing up for the workers who struggle to make things better. And that's a lot of snow for November!
ReplyDeleteYes, it was a lot of snow, and although it's been sunny and warmer for a week now, there are still big mounds of snow everywhere. We can use the moisture. thanks for your kind words about my post. Have a great week, my friend!
DeletePatience and kindness is in order as is good pizza!
ReplyDeleteI do love good pizza, Christine! I hope that we can move forward to kinder days. I found out yesterday evening that one of my nieces is in Toronto for a Taylor Swift concert. She bought her tickets over a year ago. I'm sure that she will have fun. TO is a great city. Have a great week!
DeleteThere comes a time where nice no longer applies, but that is few and far between.
ReplyDeleteGetting mad at someone because there is a lot of snow and it takes a long time to move it is dumb. You want it done faster, do it yourself. I've seen such wankers when the power goes out or their parcels take longer too. People are way too quick to go to hate and think they know it all when really they have no clue what those clearing the snow have to go through. So pffft to them. I'll stick with taking the dogs with me everywhere. Their yapping keeps all away lmao
And super duper yuck to all that white stuff.
I'm sorry that you have faced some abuse when the power is down or the mail is late, Pat. We all need to chill more. Your dogs are so cute. I bet they spread plenty of smiles. Take care and have a really good week!
DeleteI'm with you, shoveling show is cold hard work. I did it for decades and would have loved to have these guys helping me. Shame on those who cussed at them. Every time I go out I try to be kind. Say good morning, or excuse me when getting passed someone in the isle at the store. It takes no effort to be kind and it makes me feel good. I really love this photo of Princess Kaʻiulani. I have read a bit of history about her. Thank you for sharing with FFO and have a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteI do the same things in the grocery store, Nicole. And you're right, being kind makes me feel good too. It can turn my whole day around. I'm glad that you loved the photo of Princess Kaʻiulani. Her story is tragic and inspiring. Enjoy your week, Nicole, and may Mr M improve steadily!
DeleteThat is a lot of snow.
ReplyDeleteThose poor fellas can only shovel so fast. Yes, show some compassion, people. We can show some compassion. It is a difficult time, although I am at least with peace concerning our nation, the first I've felt since the pandemic began. One less thing to worry about!
I am glad that you are at peace with our nation, Diane. I'm not there yet, but I'm okay with waiting to see what happens. My mantras right now are "One day at a time" and "Don't borrow trouble." And I'm focusing on doing my best to be compassionate and kind. Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving, my friend! ❤️
DeleteIt's sad that adults have to be asked to behave themselves, but we all know who opened the door to that ugly behavior and encouraged it. That's a lot of snow and it takes a lot of work to remove it. Good luck to all those angry people when the indefatigable folks who do so much work in this country are deported.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Hi, Janie! It's so good to see you! It is sad, almost unbelievable that adults have to be asked to behave themselves. I suspect some of these men are illegals. I don't want to see any of them deported. They are always kind to me, and I make sure I thank them. All the best to you, my friend! ❤️
DeleteI fear you are preaching (?!) to the converted here with your absolutely spot-on, well-expressed words. The fact that the association has to remind residents to be kind to workers who are trying to help them, dig them out, is a sad commentary on today's society. That's a rugged job and I dare say not one resident would want to be doing it themselves. I wonder if they would have been so angry if the workers had not been Hispanic. In any event, our world has turned a lot uglier in the past years. Well said and a wonderful reminder to us all as we navigate the angry waters around us.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind comment, Jeanie! I knew I was likely preaching to the converted, but I felt that it was important to take a stand on it. I'm following my father's and mother's examples. They stood up for what they believed in, even if it cost them their jobs and made their lives difficult (which it did). I couldn't be prouder of them. Have a lovely weekend, my friend! ❤️
DeleteThis is a lovely post regarding compassion, and I agree with everything you have said. Sometimes the people who do not have compassion may go through times in their later lives where they need compassion, and will realize what it feels like not to receive it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words, Brenda! Sadly, you are right; but then, perhaps, they will become more compassionate. Hugs to you!
DeleteI agree. God bless.
Deletedear Louise it is heartwarming and remarkable post !
ReplyDeletesorry for you are having rough weather these days ,hope it give some break and you enjoy some sunshine my friend !
i strongly deeply support your words here
Compassion rises us above from other species definitely .it makes us human
the images you shared make me sad as how it is possible to do any kind of outdoor job in such bad weather wow hats off to those who dare and fulfill their duties no matter what !
i loved the quote too ,so true that nothing can make difference in such hard times except compassion and respect for other whom we encounter daily !
thanks for sharing your light dear friend!
send so much love ,beast wishes and love!!!
Thank you, my cherished friend! We did get a break and some sunshine. Everything melted except the snowdrifts on the north side of buildings and the heaps of snow plowed up into piles much taller than I. Now the snow is falling again, but we're only expected to get about four inches (10 centimeters). Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and we're having a quiet little celebration at home. That's because on Friday we're flying again. Guess where ~ lol! Much love to you and your family! ❤️
Delete