December 17, 2011

I am a cord tender. A few years ago in order to conserve money, our church leaders did away with paid janitorial staff for many church facilities and instead have asked local members to care for their local meetinghouses. This is met with mixed success but in our current ward it organized, well staffed and dedicated. The average age in our current ward is about 75. For one month out of every 4 or 5 when it is our responsibility this ward turns out in mass, scours that massive building and are back in their homes in under an hour each Saturday morning.
My first experience was a little overwhelming. I considered the age of our ward members and figured I better sign up and show up because many would be unable to do the work (or so I thought). The set time was 8 a.m. Saturday morning. I showed up right on time. Seated in the lobby was a gentleman with a chair, table, a list of those volunteers who were expected to come and several 3 x 5 cards. I reported for duty, was given a card outlining my task to wash the windows in the foyer on the west side of the building. I was given the needed supplies and off I went to do my task. It was an easy job, and was completed in approximately 15 minutes. I returned my supplies, reported to the task keeper and requested another assignment. Much to my surprise I was told that I was done. “What” I asked, “I've only been here 15 minutes”. He looked again at his 3 x 5 cards and informed me that all tasks were done or already assigned and I could go home. I looked at him in stunned silence before saying something clever like “are you serious”. He laughed at me and said, no you are done, go home. I learned in this ward, 8 actually means 7:45 and literally means if you snooze you lose. Others had arrived early, done their job and left little for me to do.
Today for my 2nd experience I tried to be a little earlier, I didn't want to miss out. What would I do today, wash more windows, dust the furniture, what lay in store? None of those ordinary jobs for me. I was assigned to be a cord tender. One of the men had already pulled a giant vacuum from the maintenance closet and had begun to vacuum the foyer. My job was to follow behind him, pick up the cord so he didn't get tangled in it and move small things (such as garbage cans) our of his way. This is more complicated than it sounds and is really an important job. If I failed to fulfill my responsibilities in an efficient manner, the progress of the vacuum was slowed and the job took much longer than necessary. I learned to anticipate the operator's moves and snap that cord away at just the right moment. I hustled around that church dragging and moving that cord like a pro. By the time we finished the foyers, hallways, relief Society room, primary room and the chapel I was really getting the hang of it. I must have done a good job because the vacuum operator told me I was the best cord tender he'd ever had. Wow, I guess he overlooked the three times I managed to tangle the cord in the vacuum or accidentally pulled the plug while he was still vacuuming, or maybe he was just trying to boost my confidence, but I finished all pumped and ready to go again. We finished that huge building in just under an hour and I have added a new item to my list of job credits “cord tender” and now you know.
Seeing that beautiful building in a new light and gaining a new respect for what is involved in its care is what I could see through the windows of my eyes this morning. What do you see out your window?