#THANKADITCHDIGGER

Less than 3 months ago fate had me stumble on this video. Since I saw this video I started becoming buddies with THE Ditch Digger Poet himself, Mr. Eric Borden, and I'm still amazed at all that he keeps teaching me about what he does.

Before I heard this poem or knew Eric, I thought I appreciated the "Ditch Diggers" of the world but I really just talked like I did for self serving reasons. For this I'm ashamed of myself but no more!

Now I commit to take every opportunity to take a moment to stop, personally thank the men & women building our world, and shake their hands for making our city a better place to live, raise a family, and for all the amenities I take for granted that are off the backs of the honorable "Ditch Diggers" that shared their skills for me and your benefit. I love their reaction every time, it's not what they're expecting or unfortunately used to. They're usually caught off guard for the thank you.

Try it sometime!

Tonight I turned on my street and there was hot asphalt flinging all over my car. Today I changed my attitude and smiled because these men were making my block a better place for my girls to learn how to ride a bike, for me to safely walk to shoot the breeze with my neighbors, for the dump truck driver to get my garbage on a smoothly paved street, and for families to raise their family on a block they're proud of!

I took a quick second to tell these men thank you, to share with them I recognize what they're do, and of course I asked them if they've seen the Ditch Digger video. I was met with the response:

"The Ditch Digger poem? Hell ya, it brought tears to my eyes when I watched it." #Respect

Today I'm thankful for these hero's making my city a better place to live, I'm thankful for Eric Borden for creating the awareness through his poetry that I needed, that society needs, and I'm thankful for all those in KC who've helped Eric get this video out. There's WAY more to come on this story but for now, you must wait for part 2!

In closing, next time you're stuck in traffic due to construction, take a breath;

• Pray for their safety, that they make it home safe to their family.
• Show them the respect they're warranted, and;
• Be grateful for their skills because without them your office, house, church, coffee shop, road you're traveling on, school your kids are learning in, warm shower, or phone that's charged wouldn't be possible.

#THANKADITCHDIGGER