#ThankAPlumber

Last night I was exchanging texts with a friend in WA who is a plumber.  The entire family is actually.  Not to linger too long, but they are just great people.   He sent me something that resonated with me and I felt the need to share.  When he sent it to me it was meant to be funny. At first, I sent back to laughing EMOJI then it hit me.

It is interesting that in times of crisis who we value.  Me, I am a salesperson.  Yes, I happen to sell into the plumbing and heating trade but that’s not the point.    I am not “essential”, nor is my job critical to the well-being of others, other than my family.  For as long as I can remember people that work in the trades have been viewed by many as second class citizens because they don’t hold a college degree or because they were not interested in a job some may consider it more prestigious.

But here we are, in the midst of the largest crisis since World War II.  People are working from home, some have no work to go to and those that are working are wondering for how long.  But those that are not concerned about working are Plumbers.  Not only are they listed as “essential” they are listed TWICE.  Let that sink in.  I have nothing but respect for our first responders and medical professionals but without heat, hot water, running water, we turn into a third world country.

They are not considered hero’s, but they walk into stranger's houses, unaware of any dangers around a home that may have or has had a person impacted by Covid-19.  They work long hours, many times weekends to make sure that we have running, hot water to bathe in, heat our homes and sterilize and clean essential equipment.   Plumbers are so much more than a faucet fixer, drain unclogger, they use more science and math than most of us do in our jobs.  They don’t use spreadsheets to calculate a math problem, they use tape measures and their craftiness.  Fitting things in spaces they should not be able to fit.  They problem-solve.   The work on science projects and make shit work, no pun intended (other two images)...  It is times like this that make you think about what’s important.

Part of me is writing this because I want my kids who are about to graduate high school to appreciate the men and women in the plumbing trade and consider that this is a path with tremendous honor, pride and most importantly a bright future.  Thank you to all the plumbers and those that support these plumbers and their ability to get the job done!

#ThankAPlumber