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Easter was a different experience for us this year.

There were no baskets or bunnies or traditional sunrise services.

Coronavirus or not, there are so many who saw it as just another day because they are considered essential.

Doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, nurses’ aides, orderlies were all still at the hospital working their shifts to help our loved ones.

Police officers were still patrolling the streets to keep us safe.

Firefighters were fighting fires.

And the forgotten ones – the retail and grocery store workers were still working as well.

To all of you, thank you for your part in helping us have a sense of normalcy as so many stay at home and beginning to suffer from cabin fever.

While so many now don a mask and glove to work, you have continued to show up at work and, well, work. Despite many directing their frustrations at you for the bare shelves where toilet paper should be stocked. Thank you for being there to stock the shelves.

Thank you to the ones keeping a head count of how many are in the store so social distancing can be achieved. Thank you to the ones reminding us to stay six feet apart as we stand in line to enter the store.

So much has changed and yet, so much is the same. Orange, while keeping six feet apart, has shown it can still be done with a smile and kindness.

For all those staying at home, thank you for doing your part to flatten the curve.

For those deemed essential and continuing to work, thank you for helping us get through this.

 

Dawn Burleigh is general manager and editor of The Orange Leader. She can be reached at dawn.burleigh@orangeleader.com