Live Grateful

Yesterday my husband and running buddy, Dottie Gieniec, and I volunteered at the Philadelphia Marathon. We “worked” with the team at the Edgehill water stop, mile 14. We arrived early, got to our post, and waited until the fun began. Thousands of runners at all different speeds would go by in the 3 plus hours we served. Our job was to hand out cups of water to the runners. As the day progressed, we heard many say, “ Thank you volunteers!”

Going into the event, I wasn’t too sure of what I would be able to do to help. I broke my hand a few days before Halloween, and I am still wearing a splint. I certainly was not going to be able to hold two cups of water out to the runners. Maybe I could hand one out at a time? You can also get banged into as the runners go by, which would also not be good for my hand. I looked around and saw plenty of people that could help pass out the water. What I noticed was all the trash – discarded cups were everywhere. Not all the runners throw their used cups into a trash container, and some just simply miss. So, I decided I would handle the trash.

I found a rake that was lying on the ground near our table and started raking the used, discarded cups out of the way of the runners and into piles on the side of the road. I emptied the makeshift trash cans and relined these trash boxes with new plastic bags. That kept me busy. At one point, one of the other volunteers stopped me just to tell me that they were grateful for what I was doing. It needed to be done. Later we worked in teams to get those cups into trash bags. At the end of the time there, I was tired. I also felt that I had done something important.

When I think about life in general, there are so many tasks in day. Not all of them are fun. There are so many jobs that a person could pursue and some of us would simply not be good at those tasks. I think any job worth doing is worth value, respect, and gratitude.

I think of my dad teaching me about the value of all jobs. He was a carpenter. He could turn wood into furniture or into a house. I asked why do some people say that doctors are more important than carpenters? Serving others can take on many different forms. Each one is valuable.

As I look toward thanksgiving, I am grateful for all the work, paid and otherwise, which makes this community strong. I am grateful to all of you for applying your giftedness to the KenCrest mission, work that matters. Please join me in gratitude for all the gifts of the heart, hand, and spirit we share.