By Harold Rodenberger
Another year has come and gone. They seem to roll by faster as I age but the old folks told me to expect that, so I don’t worry.
Of course, with faster years come faster months, weeks and days. I don’t think too much about the faster years and months but the faster weeks and especially days sometimes leave me befuddled.
A couple days ago, I got up at 5:30 a.m. thinking I had the whole day ahead of me so I could get a lot accomplished. In addition to my normal routine I wanted to clean out the shop and straighten up some things in the basement and make a trip to Goodwill to donate some excess clothes. That day seemed like it might be a good day to get those things done.
After I went downstairs and greeted my little dog, I brought in the paper, made coffee, did a few exercises, ate breakfast and the next thing I knew it was 10 a.m. Had an 11 a.m. medical appointment at Northgate so hurried through a shower, got dressed and just made it to my appointment on time.
On the way back from Northgate stopped at the office to check on a couple things. Next time I looked at the clock it was 5 p.m. and time to head home for supper. Not long after I finished eating, my little dog reminded me it was walk time, so I bundled up against the cold, put on my reflective vest and off we headed to check out the evening in our neighborhood.
Back from our walk, I decided to make a quick batch of cookies and next thing I knew it was past time for bed. No time spent cleaning the shop or the basement and no trip to Goodwill. Where had the day gone?
Time spent at the VFW is a lot the same. So many routine tasks need to be done that our plans to grow the post, help our members and serve our community sometimes drop into a lower priority.
Fortunately, at the post there are active officers and volunteers to help accomplish the special things that need to be done.
Those volunteers and officers visit the VA Hospital and other nursing homes and retirement centers to visit with patients and veterans; perform Color Guard functions; manage our newsletter, Facebook page and website; help with meals on meeting nights, socials and special dinners; contact potential members and those whose memberships have lapsed; retire old flags; maintain our library and even change burned out lights.
What would we do without volunteers willing to give up some precious time and energy to help others? It would be a sad world indeed.
In this new year, if you would like to join our volunteers in these many activities, please come to meetings, call the office, drop by during business hours or call me personally (206-972-2135) and we will add your name to the list of good people who are helping make our world a better place.
Now if I could just find time to clean out my shop…