As I write this article, we are digging ourselves out of a record-breaking snowstorm. I haven’t seen any of the formal snow totals, but regardless of the final accumulation numbers, it was one to remember. For many, it was a time to pause our normally busy lives, as mobility was not an option. For some, it was business as usual, and the snow and wind did not change the reality of the work that needed to be done. It is times like these that we appreciate those who choose careers of necessity.

First and foremost, we owe a debt of gratitude to our emergency services. Everyone from the dispatchers who are there 24/7 to take the calls (and there were a lot of calls!), to our patrol deputies, who maintained vigilance and responded without hesitation. To our community members serving with area fire, rescue, and first responder agencies, who braved the storm for the sake of those in crisis. Finally, and maybe most significantly, those who work to keep our roads clear. They started their efforts early Saturday, and many are still on the job. They have been working to open roads that were impassable to an extent many have not seen before. Between clearing roads in total whiteout conditions and providing assistance to those who found themselves stranded throughout the storm, their patience and professionalism seemed endless.

The second observation is how such a storm did, in fact, bring out the best in our community. Those who had the mechanical resources could be seen darting from one location to the next, helping those who found themselves overwhelmed. They did not do this for income or even recognition, but rather simply because this is who we are.

While I wouldn’t wish such a storm on any of us in the future, I will share the message I give to students when I teach resiliency: I wish you adversity, for it is only through adversity that we realize not only what we are capable of, but also the amazing people we have right here in our midst—people we too often take for granted.

Stay positive!