Late last summer, friends started posting on social media about how much they loved this “great new show about soccer” and sharing silly, inspirational quotes like “I believe in believe.” They were, of course, referring to Ted Lasso.
I’m not a big sports fan – I’d rather be on the field than in the stands – so I was skeptical that I would have any interest. But after my sports-loving husband repeatedly told me that, “the characters are just so nice to each other,” I set aside my preconceived notions about sports shows (and if I’m being honest, my preconceived notions about Jason Sudekis) and sat down to watch an episode. Then I watched another… and another. And before I realized it I had binged all of Season 1.
Everything I’d been hearing about – the talented cast, the witty banter, the joy and kindness the characters shared with each other – was all true. And last fall, at a time where kindness, optimism, and gratitude seemed elusive, the show and its characters were a welcome break.
It isn’t that the show is all ponies and roses. Among other things, the titular Coach Lasso is hired under false pretenses. There’s also a messy divorce, unhappy fans, a curmudgeonly journalist, and (ahem) lots of f-bombs. And Season 2 deals with some fairly dark material. Yet throughout it all there’s also respect, friendship, kindness, and yes, gratitude.
I hope that those of you who’ve been reading for a while know that gratitude is a big deal to us at ALAN, and to me personally. Even in the darkest of days (and we’ve had quite a few these last 2 years) I believe there is always something for which we can be grateful, much like the characters on my new favorite show.
Because even when disasters happen, we get to see the good that happens in response. Those good things include LiftOne’s loan of a forklift to support mass feeding operations after deadly flooding in Waverly, TN. The many groups who’ve provided support in response to Hurricane Ida’s destruction – like Uber Freight, Equipment Depot, and International Paper. And a whole slew of other generous companies who have shown up to provide ongoing support for other disasters like derechos, wildfires and a still-with-us pandemic. In fact, if you’d like to see even more examples of the many reasons we have to be grateful, check out these lists of those who’ve recently provided in-kind or financial support.
Being grateful doesn’t always mean thankfulness for receiving something. To us, it is also about the joy that comes from the opportunity to serve others. (No spoilers, but the holiday episode in Season 2 of Ted Lasso comes to mind.)
So if you’re looking for ways to kick up your gratitude just in time for the holidays, check out our website to see how you can help out with any of our logistics requests, or become a donor yourself.
I hope you all have something to be thankful for during this time of year. I know I certainly do. Because, to paraphrase footballer Dani Rojas, “Gratitude is life.”
Kathy Fulton
Executive Director
American Logistics Aid Network
