Way to Go, Guys!
Mrs. MZM and I were riding our cycles through our hurricane-ravaged neighborhood last night when we happened to come across a bunch of CenterPoint Energy repair trucks. A large number of folks were standing around, watching the workers to see if there were any clues as to when our power would be restored.
I mean, we didn’t want to interrupt them or anything, you know. But you could tell the same question was on everyone’s face: “When will I have power?”
It kinda reminds me of that scene from Oliver Twist when he held up his bowl to the schoolmaster and plaintively asked, “Please, can I have some more?”
Just as we pulled up even with them, it happened: power popped on all around us! It was as if we’d all won the lottery, I’ll tell ya! The crowd literally cheered those workers as if they’d just called our winning numbers. It was a truly fine moment for those guys, I’m sure.
Normally this type of work is probably fairly thankless. I mean, we just assume the system will work, no matter what, right? But in times like this, it really makes us realize just what they have to do to, you know, keep the system running.
Anyway, I just want to give a big ol’ shout to the folks at CenterPoint Energy for the incredible efforts they are doing to get things online again. Some areas are much worse than others, of course, but they are truly heroes to us.
A tip o’ the hat, y’all!
19 responses so far
Middle Zone Musings is a comfortable place to stop, have a cup of coffee, swap a few stories and share practical ideas for the real world. I don't ask for much, just a bit of your brain every now and then. Have a seat, take a load off, and relax...
Funny how we much we appreciate these things in a time of crisis – and how much stuff we take for granted the rest of the time.
This was a really heart-warming post – I’m sure the energy company will be really pleased to read it. (When they’ve finished fixing the power lines that is!)
Joanna Youngs last blog post..10 Reasons Not To Blog In Your Readers’ Language
Robert,
So glad to hear you’ve got power! That’s absolutely fantastic! Those guys really are heroes! Bravo!
Love & Prayers,
Jeanne
A total mess, but isn’t it amazing how people rise to the occasion? They WILL be glad someone noticed and took the time to say thanks.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Guest Post on Wired PR Works – Why No Humor?
@Joanna – Yup; these guys are certainly heroes for us now! I’m glad we happened to be standing there so we could join the applause. It was a great moment, I’ll tell ya!
@Jeanne – Yessir, we need a monument to these guys, you know? And they were already working even before the storm fully passed. Not a job I’d want!
@Brad – I know they appreciated it then. We shook their hands, slapped their backs, and handed them cold drinks. Then they headed on to their next repair site with barely a break. Heroes, indeed.
Whoo hoo! Cheers to Center Point Energy! God bless the workers who I am sure have worked long hours to help fellow citizens be up and running once again. I am quite frankly impressed. During our nasty storms this season we had folks without power for a week, and it was not a hurricane.
Karen Swims last blog post..Customer Responsibility – The Other Side of Service
This is a great post. As you say Bob we take this sort of thing for granted – until we don’t have it. Then our usual position is to grumble. But bearing in mind that these guys and their families were also impacted by the trauma that surrounded them AND they went out and did their jobs on top of that – well it is something special isn’t it.
Jackie Camerons last blog post..Sad end for Bank of Scotland?
A couple of years ago, we had a huge blackout around here… no storm, but no power. It was really something after about 36 hours without power (completely without – we were cooking outside on barbecues and keeping the freezer door closed while hoping the food wouldn’t thaw…), it came back on… A really incredible experience.
Hmmm… just saw my “avatar” and I have to say — he looks nothing like me… LOL! Guess I’ll have to dig me up a picture…
@Karen – I spoke to one of the guys working on our lines, and he was without power at his own home. And that particular area is one of the harder hit around us. Gotta admire their ability to just “keep on”, ya know?
@Monique – There’s something about the experience of losing a fundamental service, ya know? It shakes our very core. Hmmm… might be a good post in that thought somewhere… Thanks, Monique!
And as for your avatar… well, let’s just say it may need, er, “tweaking” a bit!
@Jackie – You got it, Jackie! We’ve gotten in the habit of asking everyone how they fared. At the store the other day, the checkout clerk told us her home still had no power, but at least she could still come to work – something to do and a chance to keep earning money. Quite a few people don’t even have a work place to return to. It’s very, very bad in spots.
Congratulations! Our power goes out occasionally, and I bless the workers every time. I do wonder about our infrastructure, though…. Again, I’m happy for all of you who have power and am praying for those who don’t.
Jean Browman–Transforming Stresss last blog post..What I Learned From Being Dumped By My Best Friend
Thanks, Jean, I’m sure they’re all appreciative of your prayers. Next time the power flickers a bit, I’m going to be a little less put out, I’ll tell ya. As long as the flicker doesn’t last, you know, days, it’s not that big a deal after all.
I can’t imagine what it must be like in a hurricane. Jackson Hole doesn’t get any…
I thought of you last night when our power went out for a couple of hours. It was almost bedtime anyway, so I got washed up by flashlight. As you say, just a couple of hours? No big deal.
My family rode out the Major Hurricane in Hawaii 12 years ago. It was horrible and my uncles house was flattened with them inside. They survived luckily. Thanks for the post!
@Jean – Yeah, we’ll never look at the “usual” power flickers the same way again, I’m afraid.
@Dana – Yikes! Glad to hear they’re OK, Dana.