While those who serve aren’t our first thought when we examine the topic of comforts of Christmas, they are certainly an important aspect of the Christmas experience who provide our family and friends reassurance.
Those who serve thankfully provide all the comforts we enjoy at Christmas.
My dad was a highwayman and my husband has served in this role for 43.5 years. While our family may have missed many Christmas moments with them, they were actively fulfilling their duties to ensure those who had to use the highways at Christmas and over the holidays would have the safest of conditions. This often meant longer hours on Dec. 24 to ensure plowing, salting and sanding were completed.
As a kid, now a wife and mom, I remember many Christmas mornings we spent without a dad in the house, as they were out doing road checks and road maintenance. I will never forget one Christmas Eve, when we lived in Unity, when it began to rain around noon on Dec. 24 and continued raining until Christmas morning. The icy conditions gave the crew many challenges as they worked a long shift to make the highways safe. While we missed their presence on those Christmas Eves and mornings, we were comforted knowing they were working to keep families safe.
I am sure travellers over the years have uttered a thanks for these highwaymen across the province.
While we hope fire services and RCMP never have to be called, these folks are on call throughout the year, including Christmas and the holidays. How reassuring to know protective services are willing to dash away from their family Christmas moments to serve and protect if the emergency alarm goes.
No one wants to be in a hospital over Christmas, but it would be much worse without the dedication of health-care providers. It is comforting to know there is a full roster of doctors, nurses and other health-care team members working through the holidays to ensure the best of care continues for anyone unfortunate enough to be in hospital.
I doubt anyone thinks of a plumber in this way, however a local plumber has told me of the frenzied calls he has received over the years of a plumbing or heating emergency when the homeowner had a house full of Christmas company. These trade professionals will also take time out of their own busy Christmas activities to dash out to help someone in need, even if it is a cold or crappy job.
We can never forget our Sask Power employees who all year go out in the most non favoring weather conditions to get us powered up again and Christmas may be another one of those occasions they leave their families for.
Last but never least, we must always give thanks to those who choose to serve in our armed forces all year long.
Think of these folks next time you are uttering or praying words of thanks. Thanks to these men and women, we are provided many more comforts of Christmas that are often taken for granted. Blessed are those who choose to serve, regardless of the season.
