Mrs. Bradley had a BBQ after work recently and unsurprisingly, the topic of conversation turned to the government shutdown.

It’s interesting to see how this has affected every day lives and the services that we take for granted every day.

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Mrs. Bradley’s grand-nephew in Tennessee can’t take the bus to school, since bus #49 can’t make its route with the Great Smoky Mountains closed. Now, they have to arrange a carpool to get the kids to school.

Another neighbor, who runs a private tour agency, is having a headache at work dealing with a lot of agitated tourists who are upset and demanding refunds because they can’t visit national museums and parks.

While I didn’t meet anyone who lost work because of the shutdown, plenty of people at the BBQ did at least know of someone whose job was affected and the impact this is having on their family.

It sure is true what they say about not knowing what you have until it’s gone! It makes me realize that now, more than ever, is a good opportunity to express our appreciation for the things we normally take for granted – from everyday services like bus routes to our jobs.

So let’s take a moment to remember and say thank you to the people who make a difference in our every day lives. If you also know someone whose job is at risk, why not send them some encouragement to lift their spirits?

At least the human spirit never has to shutdown!