Some Of The People I’m Grateful For

Gratitude is my word of the year. Obviously I’m grateful for the many people in my life, my lovely wife, my 13 amazing children, my seven wonderful grandchildren, my dear mother, my siblings, my neighbors, my fellow church members.

Our lives are defined by circles. Our closest circle is those closest to us. Our circles then include those around us. Our tendency in times of crisis is to protect our closest circle. We tend to tighten up. The challenge is to open up. To expand our circles to those further away.

I’m reminded of a song I heard a long time ago. And yet it could be played on today’s radio.

It’s called “Forty Hour Week” and is by the musical group Alabama. You can listen to it on YouTube here.

There are people in this country who work hard every day
Not for fame or fortune do they strive
But the fruits of their labor are worth more than their pay
And it’s time a few of them were recognized

Hello Detroit auto workers, let me thank you for your time
You work a forty hour week for a livin’, just to send it on down the line

Hello Pittsburgh steel mill workers, let me thank you for your time
You work a forty hour week for a livin’, just to send it on down the line

This is for the one who swings the hammer, driving home the nail
Or the one behind the counter, ringing up the sale
Or the one who fights the fires, the one who brings the mail
For everyone who works behind the scenes

You can see them every morning in the factories and the fields
In the city streets and the quiet country towns
Working together like spokes inside a wheel
They keep this country turning around

Hello Kansas wheat field farmer, let me thank you for your time
You work a forty hour week for a livin’, just to send it on down the line

Hello West Virginia coal miner, let me thank you for your time
You work a forty hour week for a livin’, just to send it on down the line

This is for the one who drives the big rig, up and down the road
Or the one out in the warehouse, bringing in the load
Or the waitress, the mechanic, the policeman on patrol
For everyone who works behind the scenes
With a spirit you can’t replace with no machine

Hello America let me thank you for your time

Songwriters: David Loggins / Don Schlitz / Lisa Miriam Silver
© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group

So, may your circle stay safe. And always try to expand your circle.

Rodney M Bliss is an author, columnist and IT Consultant. His blog updates every weekday. He lives in Pleasant Grove, UT with his lovely wife, thirteen children and grandchildren.

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(c) 2020 Rodney M Bliss, all rights reserved