Travelling along the COVID-19 highway over the past several months has been a challenge for all of us. For those who are working and in the front lines, ensuring that life goes on within this new normal, extra challenges are many. Even though you may feel you are being taken for granted at times and are discouraged by a muted grumble or two instead of a thank you, virtual hugs for what you do are images that are felt deeply within our collective soul. Knowing that we are all there for each other is reassuring and gives us the strength to meet each day with new and determined resolve.
Some days we are even given an extra bonus by an unexpected surprise. I wish to share one that I recently experienced and hope it reminds you of the good caring people we have in our community.
As a senior couple still living in the first house we bought on Glenmore Crescent, Arlene and I have been blessed by great neighbours and friends. Life has been rich in so many ways.
Along with all the blessings, age has a way of presenting its own challenges for us and our home. Maintenance becomes an issue for both. Tasks, which were easy and quickly completed become chores that need more horsepower than can be supplied by an age inflicted senior.
Our engineered home of the '50s is a low sloped bungalow with solid bones but has insulation deficiencies in the roof. Snow buildup and ice damming are issues that I have successfully dealt with over the years but last year I hired a local roofer to remove the snow. The cost, $325.00. At this price I wasn’t looking forward to winter and thought I would check out some roofing companies and do some cost comparing.
Fortunately, I received some good advice from LBH in St. Albert and followed their recommendation.
Upon my inquiry with this roofing company, I was told that because of the slack time during the winter months they would be willing take care of the snow removal for “NOTHING.” Surprised is an understatement and still stokes warm feelings.
After some respectful discussion and negotiating with the owner, an agreement was reached. The snow on the roof has been professionally dealt with. Rating: 5 out of 5.
Upon reflection, I believe there is an underlying lesson in this example for business and our market economy as currently understood and practiced. When goodwill, mutual trust, respect and caring in a spirit of abundance replace the current economic drivers of greed and fear in our markets, the job not only gets done but the generous spirit of cooperation and trust provide the cohesion for a healthy vibrant culture rather than one filled with competition, division, winners and losers. This is how things should be and this unexpected nice surprise is a good indicator that this is how things can be.
Thanks Mike and Cosy Roofing and Insulation. You are a credit to our community!
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow ...
Wilf Borgstede, St. Albert
