Learning every day just how much we really have for which we need to be thankful. You don’t have to look very hard or far either to find it.

We have been asking people what they have learned from this pandemic and what they would do differently should it happen again. Fortunately, for my hubby and I and Kristi and I at work, things have not been a whole lot different because all of us have been working.

It’s actually nice to be considered essential, though I’m truly thankful to not be on the very front lines like healthcare workers, etc.It’s really true that unless you’ve walked in someone else’s shoes, you have no idea what they are going through  so don’t pretend you do. 

Even though we’ve been working we have been impacted greatly by COVID-19. I’ve been in newspaper for 40 plus years, even going through the 80’s when things were tough. The past few weeks, we have published the smallest papers I have in my entire career. 

In August I will celebrate 12 years at the Georgia Post. It hasn’t always been easy but it hasn’t ever been as tough as it has the past three weeks. However, my motto is God always provides and at the Georgia Post, He certainly has in many ways.

Next year this newspaper will celebrate 100 years and we were hoping to have some type of celebration in the community. Hopefully, we will survive to hold that celebration. It’s quite a milestone for a business and especially a newspaper in these times. With your support and God willing we will see that milestone. We are so very thankful for everyone who has continued to pay their bill, subscribe and continued their advertising. You are helping us keep afloat and for that we are very thankful. 

We do plan on doing a graduation edition and when we finalize those plans we will let you know the details.

In thinking about what I’ve learned from this pandemic there are some low and high spots. Let me get the lows out of the way and on to the highs.

People say whatever they want to say on social media because there are no consequences. Yes, we have that freedom but I’ve always said with freedom comes responsibility. We shouldn’t hate people just because they have differing opinions.

Bad times bring out the best and worst in people and I’ve certainly seen a lot of the bad from social media. It’s sometimes hard for me to not state my opinion when some things are just too far out there not to try and provide facts. I do try to refrain though. Unfortunately, not everyone wants the facts or the truth. Seems we’ve lost the ability to think for ourselves.

Though I didn’t hoard, when I go to the grocery store I’m tempted to pick up something I  might not need right now because it might not be available later. We can thank the hoarders for that.

I’ve seen how easily our rights can be taken away and our Constitution trampled. So many people do not have a clue what is in the Constitution and what rights are protected by it. I remember when I was in school I took a Constitutional Government class. We had to not only memorize the preamble but were grilled constantly on what was in the Constitution and why.

Apparently, that isn’t taught in schools these days and not only do we need to bring back the Bible into our schools, we need to bring back basic civics classes. When someone calls another person a Nazi, it shows me they have no earthly idea even what that means, otherwise it wouldn’t come out of their mouths. Some even deny the Holocaust happened but I can assure you it did. History is being watered down to be palatable to the masses, just as our faith has become watered down. This isn’t as it should be for us. 

I’ve learned that some people lose their minds rather easily. I’ve also learned that each of us is just doing the best we can throughout all of this.  Each of us has to do what’s best for us and not worry what others are doing or not doing. 

I’ve learned that the government requires too much paperwork and comes close to asking for a pint of blood if they are to help you in any way. We can’t depend on them to take care of us at all and nor should we ever.

I’ve learned that small businesses are the backbone of our community and when things get tough, they step out to figure things out and survive. So please continue to support them in any way that you can and as often as you can. I personally believe, though I have no facts to back it up, that it was the small businesses who have suffered the most in this shutdown. I’ve seen where many have closed their doors forever.

I want to give a shout out to Georgia Community Bank, especially Robin and Matt. They helped me maneuver through the paperwork for the PP application and worked extra hours during that process. They never got frustrated or impatient through the process and whether or not we get approved, we certainly appreciate all that they did and I don’t think the bigger banks would have worked as hard. 

I’ve learned that though people may frustrate you with negativity there are many positive ones who step up and do all they can to help others out. I’m one of those who always wants to help others but don’t always know how. Melessa Hollis has helped us navigate through some of that with different ways and while she doesn’t want the credit, she certainly is definitely a hometown hero in my book. Throughout everything she remains humble and that’s how it should be with us. We shouldn’t do things just for the public show and should always be humble. It’s not about us. 

It’s shown me that we need each other not only in the bad times but in the good times as well. We tend to forget that.

I had a former employee thank me last week. He has won a few awards and told me I was partly responsible for that because I hired him and taught him many things. It reminded me that we certainly do need to remember those people who have helped us along the way and we need to thank them. I’m glad I was able to tell my first mentor how much I appreciated her before she died last year. You see none of us would be where we are except for the grace of God in sending us people to help us along the way.

Remember to tell those people thank you on your journey through life. Truth is none of us get out alive unless Jesus returns first.

To our subscribers, advertisers, supporters and friends we say a hearty thank you. Let’s all continue to stand together even when the pandemic is gone. 

VICTORIA SIMMONS Is a columnist, author, motivational speaker, minister and publisher of The Georgia Post/Byron Buzz. Contact her at: vsimmons54@gmail.com