I have had good customer service and I have had poor customer service but perhaps the best customer service I’ve received was from individuals that were not employed as customer service representatives. I’m speaking of compassionate caring individuals who might be greeters or ushers at your church, or a volunteer who helps you finish a problematic task, an elder who imparts wisdom upon you, or even the person who pays you a compliment out of the blue.

We are all called (not employed) to the profession of customer service. We are to treat others as we would like to be treated, to help each of us grow in faith and love. Customer service is courteous, kind, patient, attentive, helpful, positive, knowledgeable, resilient, empathetic, and willing to work towards a favorable conclusion.

We are people in need of social interaction. We are also people incapable of being self-sufficient even if society allows us to believe that we are independent and autonomous. We need others. We need love, support, approval, companionship, and a host of other gifts that only humans can give one another.

We need a person of solid character with a compassionate ear to help us stay grounded in times of tumult and confusion. We don’t come into the world alone. Throughout our entire lives we require various degrees of care; as humbling as these words are they are factual and the sooner we realize it the easier our lives will become. Or said another way … the truth shall set you free.

Sometimes we are meant to be the customer service rep and other times we are meant to be the customer. Neither has authority or precedence over the other. We all take our turns on any given day at any given hour. The best we can hope is to do our very best, to grow in care, concern, understanding and love of others.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Monday, Nov. 26 tickets for the Towne & Country Production, “The Christmas Parade,” go on sale online: www.towneandcountryplayers.com. Wednesday, Nov. 28 the Versailles Community Band holds its next practice in the VHS band room (enter through door 10) at 7 p.m.

Please mark your calendar for Saturday, Dec. 1 when friends and family are hosting a Cervical Cancer Awareness Benefit for Melisa and Chip Ordean from 6-11 p.m. at the Osgood American Legion. Admission is free with a cash bar, T-shirt sales, bake sale, a 50/50 raffle, bucket raffle prizes such as an OSU basket, frozen meat trays, Dayton Dragons tickets, Carrie Underwood autographed photo and much more.

Also on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. is the Ansonia Christmas Tractor Parade. Sunday, Dec. 2 from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. is the Versailles K of C (and Lion’s Club) Benefit breakfast with Santa Claus. Monday, Dec. 3 the Versailles Bands will present a Christmas concert.

Happy 99th birthday to Alma Kissinger and 90th birthday to Lois Kindell also birthday wishes to Mishaylee O’Reilly, Carrie Cusick, Keith Fourman, Nicole Lyme, Nina Barga, Cy Gehret, Tim Wagner, Mike Hoying, Judy Criswell, Doris Goettemoeller, Karen Shardo, Kristy Earick, Penny Treon, Karon Cromwell, Kara Knapke, Nickie Meyer, Jeremy Litton, Dave Fine, Carrie Cusick, Paul Heft, Angie Moran, Jerry Pequignot, Brooke Timmerman, Bryan Bartram, Natalie Bruns, Betty McKenna, Julia Kremer, Randy Garrison, Landen Knapke, Marilyn Pohlman, Andrea Schmitmeyer, Donna Tebbe, Dorothy Gariety, Patty Barga, Diane Magoto, Dottie Platt, Kris Hart and David Barger as their special day approaches. Anniversary wishes to Andrea and Kyle Francis (1), Amy and Jason Hoying (14), Jamie and Ben Dues (15), Lisa and Brian Winner, Cindy and AJ Bey (26), Jeanette and Mark Barga (36), Becky and Jerry Chrisman (36), Dee and Brian Monnin (37), Julie and David Heuing (38), Sharon and Paul Monnin (45), Judy and Terry Pepple (49), Linda and Basil Mangen (51), Lavon and Lester “Benny” Bernholt (61), Miriam and Ron Poling (66), and Bill and Arabella Krites (69).

Please give your supportive and healing prayers for the many who are dealing with any of life’s countless challenges, and especially for Ginger Magoto (wrist), Janice Berger, Violet Bensman, Robert Loy, Lewis Stahl, Marge Paulus, Bernie Frantz, Karen Borchers, Beverly Burt, Jackson Winner, Jerilyn Monnin, Fr. John White, Kellie Gehret, Shirley Tapp, Becca Pohl Liette, Jane Meier, Dean Kreitzer, Jenni Meyer, John Brandt, Donna Apple, Alice Luthman, Michelle Sherman, Miriam Harman, Bob Miller, Iona Gariety, Loretta Bey, Steve Bey, Aiden Myers, Angie Keiser, Paul Dapore, Rose Mary Paulus, Cyril Frantz, Carol Laub, Peggy Borgerding, Earl Gigandet, Ruth Wirrig, Marge Prakel, Mary Batty, Norma Magoto, Betty Kremer, Virginia Smith, Mary Huelskamp, Anabelle Subler, Barb Goubeaux, Eileen Rahm, Samantha Smith and those not mentioned by name who are recuperating, hospitalized, homebound and/or in need of our prayers.

Heartfelt sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Shelby Bey (27), James Kelch (62), Robert Condon, Patricia Borchers (85), also remembering and keeping in our hearts James “Kearney” Pequignot, Bill Pierron, Donna Bridenbaugh, Mary Martin Pullins, Orval Schwieterman, Shirley Seger, Delores Vian, Marjorie Rethman, Wilma Dues, David Oliver, Bob Dieringer, Roger Heitkamp, Don Voisard, Alverda Bohman, Larry Hoffman, Rita Gerling, Lois Ann Grilliot, Tom Rindler, Cecilia Borchers, Bud Schieltz, Robert Bulcher, Scott Winner, Larry Nance, Keith Davis, Carl Kunk, Norma Bulcher, Mike Dapore and all those not mentioned by name as the anniversary of their recently passing nears.

“Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time.” ~Marian Wright Edelman

“The greatest good is what we do for one another.” ~Mother Teresa

“God helps those who help themselves, but He blesses those who help others.” ~Unknown

“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, and to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson