Community

A symbol of affection and caring

Steve has retired. The library held an open house for him this afternoon. There was standing room only at 3 O'clock when speakers began their tributes.

Steve has been with the library 28 years. The unusual thing is, Steve sits in a wheelchair. The photoboard showed him in a wheelchair at his graduation from the University of Illinois some decades ago. He gets around very skillfully. As he said, “What makes me feel good is that nobody has ever cared that I’m in a wheelchair. What they care about is that I can help them find the information they need.”

That pretty much sums it up.

Over the past 28 years, we’ve had a lot of winter snow. Try navigating your trusty wheelchair through 3 inches of snow. Yet we heard how village snowplow drivers would suddenly appear, give Steve a thumbs up, and clear the road from his apartment to the library a couple of blocks away. That’s community.

Speaker after speaker praised Steve’s determination, his tenacity in looking up “stumps” – tough questions a patron needed to research, his equal treatment of whoever came in needing a reference answer. Clearly his fellow staff are devoted to him and wish him well. Village residents spoke of the inspiration and encouragement Steve has provided at difficult times in their lives.

Steve in turn said that what has helped him through down times has been his faith. He is a man who lives that faith through his attitude of good-will and ready helpfulness.

I haven’t known Steve that well or that long. But whenever I needed information, he has been as quick and thorough in his assistance to me, as apparently he has been to everyone else for the past 28 years. So I wrote a little poem of praise and appreciation, put it in a card, and dropped it in the “Cards for Steve” box. I hope that box held lots of cards.

Those of us who benefited from Steve’s cheerful and expert help in the reference section will miss him. And we all wish him well.

Choosing our attitude

Snowflakes in motion

My friend, Marge, is adapting fairly well to her new singlehood. Some days are better than others.

Recently she was expecting some guests when a snowfall complicated her plans. The sidewalk and driveway needed shoveling. With a sigh she put on her winter clothes and, shovel in hand, faced what must be done.

Then Marge remembered a Bible verse that had grabbed her attention earlier that day: "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness:" (Psalms 100:1,2)

She realized that a sigh of resignation wasn't a particularly joyous noise. Furthermore she was honoring and serving God by making it safe for her guests to come to her house, so she might as well be cheerful about it.

So Marge changed her attitude to one of gratitude that she could shovel the snow! Somehow she completed the job with less effort than she had expected. And she felt invigorated.

Sometimes we don't realize we have the ability to choose to be happy, to change our attitude, to lighten and brighten our own world, and that of everyone around us. This recognition can be especially clear when our motive is to help others.