One of the joys of summer as a youngster was getting a new toy. Perhaps as you got older it was something more than a toy – rather a gift that helped define you. 

We had just heard the song, “Brand New Key” by Melanie about roller skates and having fun when my wife shared her memories of a summer with new skates. Learning to skate. Going to the roller-rink with friends and family.

I read yesterday morning that Walmart has decided to close (completely) for Thanksgiving. Kudos to Walmart and perhaps others will follow.

What do these seemingly different stories have in common? The thought of “ordinary”.

What can be more ordinary for a young teen than hanging out with friends? For a family more ordinary than gathering around a table at Thanksgiving?

For many, many years I suspect that we had forgotten about the beauty of the “ordinary”. Our lives had become engrossed in the latest, the fastest, the trendiest. 

Now we are at a standstill. At a crossroads in our lives.

We are being called upon in many ways to be strong. To stay away from family. To stay away from friends and the “ordinary” course of life.

Why this sacrifice?

So we can get back to the ordinary.

As the singer Melanie said in her song about roller-skates, “I’ve got a Brand New Key.”

Each of us have a key to defeat COVID-19.  

Do we have the willpower to use it?

– Leton

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“Letters From Leton” is a blog series comprised of the weekly updates that Leton Harding – President, Chairman, and CEO of Powell Valley National Bank, shares with the Bank’s team members. These newsletters are full of uplifting anecdotes and intriguing insights that are applicable beyond the Bank, so we want to share them with you.