I know it’s a stressful time, especially for those who just love, love, LOVE the yuletide season; for those who decorate like mad; for those who invite the whole world to a party with Santa-themed everything; for those who feel pressure to be all things to all people; and for those who purchase items online and get a “guaranteed” arrival date.
I know also that companies like Amazon seem to rule the world these days; millions of us buy through them, many of us have the Prime feature allowing us to have “free” shipping (who’re we kidding?), and most of us have delighted in getting our packages delivered the day that was promised.
Tis a great feeling … right?
Even though I understand their expectations were recently dashed when thousands of customers did not get their packages on the due date this past week, I have to ask:
What part of the multiple massive winter storms that hit the country
over the last weeks did those social media blasters miss?
What part of hundreds of airplanes being grounded in many major cities because of the storms covering the U.S. did they miss?
What part of ice-covered roads did they miss seeing on all the news stations 24/7? The crashes? The multi-vehicle accidents? The deaths due to those accidents? The huge trucks, dangling in some cases over bridge abutments, having hit an ice slick and being unable to stop?
The hours and hours it takes to clear those roads of snow, ice, wrecked vehicles, ambulances, and the stalled traffic?
This isn’t about Amazon, except that it’s the company that took the heat recently. I give the company (and most others) credit for usually delivering as promised, even surprising me occasionally when the weather’s not ideal. Basically its system works.
What upsets me is that those who were ranting on social media appear to believe that Amazon does one thing that no one human – no collection of humans – can do:
Control the weather and its fallout.
Amazon cannot beam our packages as so many sci-fi shows do directly to our house; it cannot push the weather to one side or the other to benefit someone’s need for a package. Jeff Bezos cannot just tell the storms to GO AWAY! You’re not wanted here!
(I’m pretty sure that if he could, he would.)
Companies cannot blaze a safe path through the areas that are hit with 50+ mph winds, 3-5’ of snow, and snowdrifts that can tower over everything. When life comes to a complete stop, so do deliveries of just about everything.
The real miracle at this time of year is seeing anything or anyone getting to their destination as planned.
Am I right?
So, folks. During this winter / holiday season, let’s all take a deep breath and remember the POINT of the season: Joy. Love. Happiness. Comfort. Relationships. Family. Warmth.
Maybe we can all remember that real people – people who have families, friends, hopes, dreams – are out there trying to get our precious packages to our house as promised. They’re not anything artificial; they’re real people. They’re our neighbors, our friends, our family members. They’re doing their best, even in adverse weather conditions.
And maybe – just maybe – we can remember that they need to feel safe, they deserve to be safe, and that if our package is delayed a day or two … it’s not the end of the world!
I wish all of us a wonderful holiday season, filled with love and joy, no matter the specific holiday we observe.
Great message as always, Susan. My wife’s flights were delayed, but that’s why they have airport bars and restaurants. She got home, and that’s all that counts.
Small stuff vs big stuff! Right, Jeff.
We have been conditioned like lab rats: click “buy” and our food-pellet packages arrive the next day. But if they don’t arrive…
Susan thank you and yes you spot on. I Know during the holidays in retail I have to take a pause often.
Thanks for the reminder Susan! So easy to major in the minors…. get caught up in things that (in the larger scheme of things) don’t matter that much when you get right down to it. We should not allow our joy, or peace (holidayh season or not) to be stolen by a late package, an unkind word, an inconsiderate driver, or whatever. Life has plenty of other challenges in store more worthy of our time and energy! Many blessings to you and yours.
OK, Mike — I LOVE the “major in the minors,” and I wish I’d thought of it! I think there’s another article hiding in those words, so … I certainly wish you and your family a joyous holiday season, and thanks for taking the time to read and comment!