Downwind“A Couple Servings of Thanks”
Thanksgiving is right around the corner. As I reflect on the year 2025 and life in general, a few thankful thoughts float through my gray matter. Rather than let those thoughts remain stuck all alone up there in my brain, I must share…need that memory space to create a Christmas gift list.
I am thankful for septic companies (and indoor plumbing). …
At Cook County Farm Bureau, we talk a lot about member service and seek to go beyond member expectations (remember: “We even answer the phone!”). However, my wife and I recently experienced a pinnacle level, all-time high example of customer service.
We were at our place out west over the Labor Day weekend. It was a Sunday afternoon, the day before Labor Day. Our cabin toilet, a wonderful luxury, was acting up. Flushing slowly and gurgling. After a series of efforts to clear the issue at the source, I checked the septic tank and learned it was completely chock-full of “honey”. (I tend to call the brown slurry of semi-liquid substance “honey” after years of operating the honey wagon on our family hog farm).
That Sunday evening (did I mention it was the day before Labor Day) my ever-calm wife, wearing her superhero cape, called the number of a local septic company. I was thinking no way anyone would answer.
The septic company owner, Lyle, answered the phone!
My wife explained our extremely dire situation. Lyle indicated his schedule for the next week was completely booked. I thought, of course.
Lyle’s next words were, “Can I come out to help you now”?
We were stunned… Would someone really do that for a couple strangers on a Sunday night, the day before Labor Day?
Two hours later, Lyle pulled up with his tank truck and pumped 2,000 gallons of “honey” from our tank.
That Sunday evening (the day before Labor Day), our toilet was back in business meaning the Rohrers could go about (do) their “business”. My wife told him that she planned on naming our next child after him. “Lyle”… we like that name.
Lyle’s “amazing service” means we will be customers for life. That’s how we want you to feel about the Cook County Farm Bureau! (Though, it’s debatable if I will answer the phone on the Sunday evening before Labor Day to help with honey issues).
I am thankful I know right and wrong (finally…)
Recently, with friends, we enjoyed a conversation about things we’ve done in our lives that we are not very proud of. I am not proud that I have such a long list. Here are a couple thoughts that popped into my cranium immediately that I had to confess to…
In 1974, in Victoria, Illinois, while grocery shopping in Floyd’s Grocery Store with my mother and siblings, I snuck a grape from the produce counter for a taste without paying for it. I have felt guilt ever since. It was wrong and I’m not proud of it.
In the summer of 1977, I was employed to mow a farmer neighbor’s lawn. The farmer told me to help myself to a soda from his pop machine in his barn if I felt overheated. I helped myself to six Mountain Dew bottles that afternoon. I was not that overheated. It was wrong and I’m not proud of it. I do wish he had offered me use of his bathroom.
It is such a relief to get those long-standing issues off my chest. My soul feels cleaner!
I am thankful for our wonderful members (always).
We have had so many members register faith in us by joining the organization and by renewing their membership this past year. Your membership is appreciated more than you know! I have had so many great connections, conversations, and opportunities to work on behalf of and with so many of you. I salute the work that you do every day to provide for your families, communities, and for the world.
I am thankful there’s always something (innocuous) to write about.
Next month, I believe I’ll write a few more thankful thoughts including…
“Restaurants’ menus featuring a breaded pork tenderloin sandwich bigger than my head!”
(It will be a classic Christmas column)
In the meantime, I wish all Cook County Farm Bureau members a great Thanksgiving packed with amazing food (compliments of the greatest farmers in the world), meaningful time spent with family and friends, and the opportunity to share “thanks” to all within earshot.