Thursday, March 6, 2014

The Trash Man Cometh

I was out running some errands a few days ago, impatient to get back home and take advantage of a gorgeous springlike day to work in the yard.  All of a sudden, traffic was brought to a standstill by a garbage truck making its rounds.

[Photo borrowed from Internet]

It was blocking my lane of traffic so I had no choice but to sit and wait for the man to jump off and on the truck emptying the trash cans along the way.   As I waited, I watched him and  thought about what a thankless, dirty job he had.   That particular day was beautiful ... but what about all those cold winter days when it's freezing outside, or raining ... or in the summertime when our steamy Mississippi humidity makes it almost unbearable to be out?

As I followed the truck for a couple of blocks, I wondered how many stops they made in a day ... how many trash cans did he pick up and dump in the back of the truck ... 50? 100? ... or more?   I felt ashamed that I was impatient because the truck was slowing me down, and wished I could thank the guy on the truck for the service he performs twice a week, rain or shine, hot or cold ... and probably never gets a "thank you" or a smile or is even acknowledged, except, perhaps, by disgruntled drivers who are in a hurry to get someplace.  
I'm not sure how I can show my appreciation to the guys who pick up our trash.  Perhaps the best way would be to write a letter to the company letting them know that we appreciate their service and ask them to pass the message on to their employees.  Yes, I think I'll do that today!

7 comments:

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I love my garbage men and always try to speak, but it is irritating to get behind the truck and get stuck. I think, though, this is the perfect tribute and reminds me again to say, thanks! Great job, Janie!

xo

Sheila

RachelD said...

I've always felt so sorry for our crews out in this deep snow and bone-chilling cold, and have been known to wade out with a big pitcher of coffee or cocoa as they stop. And now our city has gone to UPC-coded big flappy-top cans, issued by the water department, and they have to be set just SO on the curb, so the truck's mechanical grabber can pick them up and dump them into the back.

And now, I feel sorry for all those faithful guys who may not have a job any more, for there's just a driver. You made the grimy chore look beautiful, with the haze and the color.

love and,

r

Churaipon Chintakanont Klaijumlang said...

You have such a beautiful heart that notices those who are working on 'thankless' job. How could we live without these men?

Thank you for your sweet appreciation for little things in life.

Churaipon Chintakanont Klaijumlang said...

You have such a beautiful heart that notices those who are working on 'thankless' job. How could we live without these men?

Thank you for your sweet appreciation for little things in life.

Churaipon Chintakanont Klaijumlang said...

You have such a beautiful heart that notices those who are working on 'thankless' job. How could we live without these men?

Thank you for your sweet appreciation for little things in life.

IlonaGarden said...

What gracious thoughts within a blog that is full of love and inspiration. You have a marvelous eye for beauty and I enjoyed my visit to your lovely world.

Pat said...

Yes, Janie, what a thoughtful reminder of how we need to think of others and what they are doing and not ourselves so much. This is one little way we can all make the world a little better.

Thanks for the reminder.

Pat in Tallahassee