It was much easier to criticize the job others did in cleaning up after last week's heavy ice and snow storm than it was to clean it up. I usually keep my mouth shut and if you could see my walk and driveway you'd know why. Most everyone with snowblowers out last weekend were struggling with clogs. Many shovellers, including me, were seen bent by the weight of the normally fluffy snow.
My walk to work in Milwaukee accross the 6th St. Viaduct was slowed by the skating rink it became after someone plowed the snow off but left the ice. Without salting. It didn't help a couple days later when more snow fell hiding the ice underneath. I decided to take my chance in the street with the traffic. (It was plowed again but still not salted.) It doesn't help that 14 street lights are out in it's one mile length but at least there's a handrail.
Several years ago, when Sentry was still where Pick 'N Save is on Moreland, a couple helped out a stranger by pushing his van through fresh, deep snow so he could continue his newspaper delivery route. The stranger couldn't say proper thanks because he had to keep going to maintain momentum, but he never forgot the helpful couple. Because he still felt a need to thank them he would "pay it forward" and make every effort to help other people stuck in the snow.
Instead of criticizing the job others are doing with the icy mess, maybe this is an opportunity to help others while meeting our neighbors. There could be many reasons some sidewalks are still bad a week later - I wouldn't have recommended elderly people try to shovel the sloppy mess. If we know of someone who could use a little help maybe we could "pay it forward" and help instead of criticize. Santa's watching!
