Greetings travelers! How did you spend the 4th of July weekend? If you caught my newsletter last week in which I shared a story about being in Anchorage last year for the 4th, you’ll know that it was a unique experience. This year it was a bit sad staying local as I travel somewhere new over the 4th – a tradition I love. Fingers crossed that 2021 will allow us to resume our favorite traditions and get back to seeing the world!
Reflecting on the past and thinking about the present situation has prompted me to take a moment to be grateful. I’m sure you’ve felt moments of gratitude over the past few months too. Since the infamous year 2020 is now halfway behind us, I thought I’d take a pause from travel content this week to say thank you! Read on for the list…
– John F. Kennedy
- I am grateful for the entire medical community. Of course, doctors and nurses, but also all of the custodial workers who keep hospital rooms clean and disinfected, the IT workers who keep the charts& computers online, EMTs, ambulance drivers, cafeteria workers….I could go on and on!
- I am grateful for the grocery/drug/big box store workers. And that includes actual store workers AND delivery drivers who keep our stores stocked so we can get what we need. I’ve been shocked by the aggressive outbursts some employees, often teenagers, have received from customers when enforcing store policies and give them a huge amount of credit for doing their job and protecting others. Our children are learning valuable life lessons about how to behave (and not behave) during stressful times by observing adults.
- I am grateful for the delivery services. USPS, UPS, Amazon, FedEx & DHL drivers are working overtime to get us our many packages. Also a shout out for Door Dash, UberEats, and Instacart drivers who deliver food to our front door when we get too burned out to shop for it, make it ourselves or simply want to support local restaurants and businesses.
- Speaking of restaurants, I am grateful that I can enjoy my favorite dishes just by ordering, paying, and showing up! Our local restaurants have scrambling to adapt to the new normal while doing all they can to feed us and remain profitable businesses. Not an easy task.
- I am grateful for the local utility workers who ensure that we are comfortable in our homes with AC, gas, electricity, and cable. And I regularly appreciate that my garbage is picked up on schedule every week, and my internet signal is strong so we can work from home.
- I am grateful for teachers who are adapting their techniques to teach our children whether kindergarteners or college students. I’m grateful we have Zoom and other video conferencing capabilities so the kids can see their teachers and classmates, and we adults can interact with coworkers and friends.
- I am grateful for the many “helpers” both public and behind-the-scenes. They have been shopping for the elderly who aren’t comfortable leaving their homes, sewing and donating masks, sending positive messages on social media, picking up the phone to say hello, and just generally caring about the welfare of others. I found a beautiful hand-painted rock with the word “hope” by my mailbox a couple of months ago and was so appreciative of that small act of kindness. Not to be forgotten on my list are our local government officials who have been working tirelessly to protect our community and give us timely and accurate information in this time of huge uncertainty. I hope that after this crisis is behind us, we will value kindness in our society more.
- Finally, I am grateful for YOU! While we are not able to travel right now, this too shall pass. I’m grateful for this community of travel lovers who all share the dream of exploring the world as soon as it is safe again. And as history has shown, it will be. I thank each and every one of you for supporting me as a small business!
What did I miss on the list? Jump over to www.facebook.com/hiddengemtravelconsulting and comment on today’s post about this newsletter.
Hidden Gem Tip: In the spirit of spreading positivity and an attitude of gratitude, check out the new Facebook group (with over 2 million members from all over the world) called ‘View from my window.’ It’s both a testament to the world being one community and inspiration for your future travels!
Wishing you and your family continued good health,
Susan
