Even on holiday, jobs to be done

That beautiful tree shines a little less bright. The wreath on the door suddenly looks out of season. And all that pretty wrapping paper has been reduced to a pile of ripped up shreds in the trash can.

The pre-Christmas rush now becomes the search for bigger bargains at the after-Christmas sales.

Before you hurry out to spend your gift cards or exchange that ?What was he thinking?? sweater, there?s one more item on the Christmas to-do list that?s yet to be checked off:

A heart-felt thank-you to all the folks in Onslow County who spent Christmas on the job: Police officers; deputy sheriffs; highway patrolmen; paramedics; firemen; doctors; nurses; and medical workers of all descriptions.

As always, our appreciation goes to those who stand guard in defense our nation. The protection of our freedom, both abroad and here at home, is a calling without pause.

Thanks also to nursing home staffers and those at assisted living centers; care-givers ? paid and unpaid; home health aides; and hospice angels.

Christmas thanks to the folks down at the water plant; convenience store clerks; waiters and waitresses; and cashiers at every business that stays open no matter what.

Thanks also to the Daily News carriers, of course, along with the pressroom and mailroom crews, the reporters and editors who bring you today?s edition and who keep you in-the-know all through the day and night with online and social media postings.

To list, of course, is to omit someone who gave up Christmas with family and friends to take care of tasks that take no holiday. We might not know what you did on the job this Christmas, but please consider this our all-inclusive and heart-felt thank you.

For so many workers, Christmas is a day when being on the job is a special gift given to colleagues with distance to drive for a family visit or with little ones overjoyed by the gifts Santa dropped off. These special moments would be lost were it not for the gift of time off from fellow workers.

For others who clock in on Christmas Day, being on the job is making sure that the responsibilities of their work continue when all the world seems to stand still. They give others time to relax and take a deep breath, to forget about daily worries and enjoy this once-a-year holiday happening.

Christmas Day workers are special people, giving a gift too often overlooked ? the gift of time.

To everyone who spent Christmas on the job, a great, big thank-you for the gift of time that you gave to your colleagues and the entire community.

Source: http://www.jdnews.com/opinion/christmas-98799-beautiful-paper.html

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