I was talking with Yukon Vice Mayor Donna Yanda last week about how funeral homes are handling services and the congregating of the friends and loved ones who gather to show their last respects. Donna told me that we are going to be seeing a lot more closed-circuit videos of the services to keep everyone at safe distances all while trying to provide the bonding and compassion for the families.
It is just so hard to believe that this pandemic, that has taken so much, has been able to take away the opportunity to say goodbye to friends, family members and acquaintances of those important people in our lives. I tried to make sense of it all so I called my mom several times this week to check on her and see if maybe we could find something to laugh about.
My mother is somewhat of a hoarder and professional garage sale shopper. For years, she has always called me on Friday or Saturday mornings to tell me what treasures she has found and to always ask me if I need yet another popcorn popper, bundle of hangers or a 1978 Dallas Cowboys mug that could serve as a candle holder since the handle was broken off. Mom also likes to stock up on canned goods from the grocery stores. In fact, my two brothers and I were in her pantry/warehouse just last Thanksgiving only to find that she had 17 cans of Yams, eight 12 packs of off-brand ginger ale and 6 boxes of out-of-date graham crackers. Mom told me that even though we are in the middle of a pandemic that as long as she is alive, I will always have something to eat. Thank God.
***
I have been hoping that we can get through this COVID-19 thing and all get together by the 4th of July for our annual Freedomfest celebration. It would really be a true celebration to be free of this problem. Keep your fingers crossed. The Progress will immediately inform you once we confirm the decision whether the celebration will be canceled or not.
***
I was in Wal-Mart neighborhood market the other day and was watching this man fill his shopping cart with loaves of bread. Notice I said loaves. The man was not paying any attention to the sign that read: so that we can serve as many families as possible, please limit yourself to one loaf of bread. I guess this man thought he was Jesus Christ and that he was on his way to feed the multitudes with fish and loaves. I then watched the Wal-Mart clerk chase him down to inform him that he had to put those extra six loaves back on the shelves. Jesus looked at her and said, “I’ve got a family with six children, what am I supposed to do?” The lady said I’m sorry. You have to control yourself. Another woman who was also watching the incident looked at me and said, “He should have just gotten a vasectomy.”
***
My good friend David Stringer who is the Publisher of the Lawton Constitution said this week that several newspapers along the Oklahoma side of the Red River had ceased operations this week due to the impact of the virus. I just might be bringing some of those good newspaper people up here to Canadian County to go to work. If the United States government is going to help make their payroll, then I am going to help them.
***
Canadian Valley Family Care called last week to advertise their offering of TELEMEDICINE VISITS to established and new patients. I have known Dr. Curtis Brown for years and think this use of technology is incredible. Using FACETIME instead of coming into the office is a perfect solution for what patients are facing today. Great job Doc.
***
I was talking last week with longtime Yukon plumber Brad Brakefield. I called Brad and told him since everyone would be staying home and using their faucets, toilets and showers more than ever that he needed to advertise and let people know he still makes house calls. Brad agreed. I have often thought about how Air Comfort Solutions gives all their customers a Jason White signed football after every service call. Brad is probably the biggest OU football fan I know, and he could probably start making quite an impression giving away Lincoln Riley or Mike Gundy signed plungers to all his customers!
***
Have you had someone give you exceptional service in the last few weeks, during the pandemic? Do you know a doctor or nurse that has gone above and beyond the call of duty? Did a certain store clerk call you and let you know that something you had been shopping for had arrived at the store and they set one off to the side for you? Contact me and let me know.
Thanks so much for reading, I will see you next Saturday. Would you like a Progress?
Yukon Progress Publisher Randy K. Anderson can be reached at randyk.anderson@sbcglobal.net or (405) 517-5168.
