When the time came, dear friend. You helped save us all."

Originally posted on social media May 21, 2021.

Somewhere in Frontenac, a woman is taking a deep breath. Years of service, finished by one of the most difficult years of her life are finally coming to a close.

You see, today is the last one that Lisa Nutt will run our Frontenac cafeteria. The woman who led her team to feed thousands of meals to kids during the pandemic is retiring to be a full-time grandma.

Lisa Nutt has always been a blessing to Frontenac. Whether as a parent to her amazing sons, a school employee, or a trusted ear for many a kid, Lisa is a treasure.

When the pandemic hit and people were sent home from work, I remember thinking, what about food? What about food this summer for many of these families? Lisa was not wondering. She was working. As soon as she could her team began pushing food out of the school in record numbers. I can say without hesitation that the efforts of her and her team were invaluable. There are Frontenac kids that would have gone hungry without Lisa.

When school restarted and many kids were still home Lisa made sure home still felt like school, providing sack lunches daily. Mentally, emotionally, having the same meals as they've always had meant a lot. That school milk, juice, food they were familiar with made all the difference for many online kids.

All too often in Frontenac, the big names or sports championships get remembered. They get pride of place. However, there should be room for people like Lisa too. People who put their heads down did their job and made a massive difference.

At the end of the Disney movie Mulan the emperor looks at Mulan, lists her misadventures, and says, "And you saved us all."

Somewhere in Frontenac, a woman is taking a deep breath. Her service is done. Her time put in, her duty complete. While the rest of us quietly bow like that emperor and say, "Thank you. When the time came dear friend. You helped save us all."